Training Physician‒Scientists for Careers in Investigative Dermatology

Expanding Personalized, Data-Driven Dermatology: Leveraging Digital Health Technology and Machine Learning to Improve Patient Outcomes

The current revolution of digital health technology and machine learning offers enormous potential to improve patient care. Nevertheless, it is essential to recognize that dermatology requires an approach different from those of other specialties. For many dermatological conditions, there is a lack of standardized methodology for quantitatively tracking disease progression and treatment response (clinimetrics). Furthermore, dermatological diseases impact patients in complex ways, some of which can be measured only through patient reports (psychometrics). New tools using digital health technology (e.g., smartphone applications, wearable devices) can aid in capturing both clinimetric and psychometric variables over time. With these data, machine learning can inform efforts to improve health care by, for example, the identification of high-risk patient groups, optimization of treatment strategies, and prediction of disease outcomes. We use the term personalized, data-driven dermatology to refer to the use of comprehensive data to inform individual patient care and improve patient outcomes. In this paper, we provide a framework that includes data from multiple sources, leverages digital health technology, and uses machine learning. Although this framework is applicable broadly to dermatological conditions, we use the example of a serious inflammatory skin condition, chronic cutaneous graft-versus-host disease, to illustrate personalized, data-driven dermatology.

Physician‒Scientists in Italian Dermatology: Hurdles and Perspectives

Physicians, including dermatologists, with expertise in clinical and basic research, play a pivotal role in the advancement of medical science. Although the number of residents in dermatology has been increasing and our specialty is among the most requested in Italy, the disaffection of young dermatologists for research is a chronic and apparently irreversible trend. This commentary analyzes the reasons and suggests some ideas to counteract this alarming tendency.

Current Status and Future Direction of Physician-Scientists Training in Korea

In their new JID Innovations article, "Training Physician-Scientists for Careers in Investigative Dermatology," Li et al. (2021) describe the difficulties of nurturing physician-scientists in the United States and their causes. In Korea, the importance of physician-scientists is also being emphasized, and medical schools and the government are making great efforts to foster physician-scientists as well. As a result of these efforts, the number of those obtaining a doctoral degree after residency training in clinical departments, including dermatology, is increasing in Korea. However, more systematic support from the government, medical schools, and their affiliated hospitals is needed so that more physician-scientists can conduct research to identify the causes of diseases and develop new treatments while practicing medicine. In this commentary, we would like to comment on the situation of physician-scientists in Korea.

Training and Retaining Physician‒Scientists in Dermatology: The German Perspective

In an ideal setting, physician‒scientists combine clinical practice and knowledge with scientific curiosity and research in synergy. Li et al. address the current challenges regarding the rare breed of physician‒scientists in the United States-much similar to those faced in German dermatology departments. The authors discuss multiple angles to transform the so-called leaky pipeline into a streamline of dermatologists in science.

Training and Retaining Physician‒Scientists in Dermatology: Japan

Recently, the number of dermatologists who pursue scientific research careers has been dwindling in Japan. One of the major reasons for the reduction is the recent alterations of the Japanese medical specialty training system. Our strategies against the decline of young dermatologists' desire to be physician‒scientists include the establishment of a simultaneous PhD program for specialty course trainees, the establishment of a young academician-fostering seminar by the Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology, and support for studying abroad by the Japanese Dermatological Association.

Training and Retaining Physician‒Scientists in Dermatology in Taiwan

Currently, only 14.7% of practicing dermatologists in Taiwan who work at medical centers are dedicated to innovative research. Dermatology departments appear to face steeper challenges with the recruitment and retention of physician‒scientists than other medical specialties. The need to increase the number of physician‒scientists is clear and can be achieved through the provision of good training programs, financial support, early mentorship, and sustained funding.

Training and Retaining Physician‒Scientists in Dermatology: China

Physician‒scientists play a crucial role in the development and advancement of medical science. The number of physician‒scientists has been decreasing in recent years, and this phenomenon is also very prominent in the field of dermatology. In China, on the one hand, the quality and quantity of dermatological science research are rapidly increasing. On the other hand, there are many problems and challenges in physician‒scientist training that hinder young students from choosing to enter an MD‒PhD path over an MD-only path. Continuous efforts should be made to attract medical students to the dermatology specialty, to guide and spur their interests in scientific research, and to provide them with excellent research conditions and environment.