Nailing It

The document from 2015 presents a training model designed to enhance dermatology residents' skills in nail procedures, addressing the concern that many residents have limited experience in this area. It reveals that 58% of third-year residents had performed 10 or fewer nail procedures, with 25% having only observational experience, and one-third of graduating residents felt incompetent in nail surgery. The model uses a rubber fingertip and nail polish to simulate nail avulsion and matricectomy. The authors stress the importance of training, noting that Mohs surgeons with more nail surgery experience are likely to perform more nail procedures in their practice. They also highlight the difficulty in diagnosing nail melanoma, which often presents at an advanced stage, and advocate for patient education and earlier biopsies. The document suggests that the training model could improve residents' competency and increase the number of nail cases treated by dermatologists.