Where Are All of the Pediatric Dermatologists?

Around 3 out of 10 children see a pediatrician for a dermatologic issue. However, the shortage of pediatric dermatologists makes it difficult for kids who struggle with skin conditions to get the proper care they need.

Pediatric dermatology is still getting its footing in medicine. The International Society of Pediatric Dermatology was only founded in 1972, and the journal Pediatric Dermatology was launched just 10 years later. However, despite these advancements, there still remains significant provider shortages. Dermatology Times attributes the lower pay grade, lack of academic exposure, and unclear training path to inadequate staffing. In fact, most fellowship positions for pediatric dermatology faculty go unfilled for years. One study from the University of California at San Diego School of Medicine suggests that shortage could be remedied if more residents have a committed mentor who motivates them to enter the field.

As of 2014, pediatric dermatologists only comprised 2.1 percent of all dermatologists — that’s only 233 for the more than 11,000 board-certified dermatologists in the United States. Pediatric dermatology is by no means a ‘cash cow’ specialty. According to a review article, the comparably low salaries for dermatologists is the main reason why dermatologists decide to not pursue the field, despite the abundant fellowship opportunities.

However, pediatric dermatologists are imperative when it comes to delivering accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. According to one study, only 49 percent of pediatricians could correctly diagnose one of the 20 most common pediatric dermatoses, compared with the 96 percent of dermatologists.