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How a dermatologist can use AI, task by task

O*NET 29-1213.00: DermatologistsMedian pay $328,730/year (BLS, May 2025)18 tasksJob Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Diagnose and treat diseases relating to the skin, hair, and nails. May perform both medical and dermatological surgery functions.

Your job title Type your own title and every prompt on this page updates to match. Also called: Board Certified Dermatologist, Dermatologist MD (Dermatologist Medical Doctor), Dermatologist Physician, Dermatopathologist, Doctor, MD (Medical Doctor), Mohs Micrographic Surgeon, Mohs Surgeon, Pediatric Dermatologist, Practicing Dermatologist.

Where AI fits in this job

AI-ready 0%AI-assist 20%Stays human 80%

Share of the job's tasks, weighted by how important and how frequent each task is (O*NET ratings). 0 AI-ready, 5 AI-assist and 13 human-led tasks out of 18. This measures where AI can help, not whether the job will disappear.

Information & paperwork

Thinking & planning

People & communication

Leading & teaching

Hands-on & physical

Shape of the job: importance of each kind of work activity (O*NET, 1 to 5).

🗓 Start here on Monday

The most frequent, most important tasks where AI can help right away.

Record patients' health histories.Write it up · Hourly or more
Read current literature, talk with colleagues, and participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in dermatology.Stay sharp · Weekly
Instruct interns or residents in diagnosis and treatment of dermatological diseases.Train & teach · Weekly

💪 Lean into these

Core tasks that stay human. These skills get more valuable as the routine work gets automated.

Conduct complete skin examinations.Hands-on care · Hourly or more
Counsel patients on topics such as the need for annual dermatologic screenings, sun protection, skin cancer awareness, or skin and lymph node self-examinations.Be there for people · Several times a day
Diagnose and treat pigmented lesions such as common acquired nevi, congenital nevi, dysplastic nevi, Spitz nevi, blue nevi, or melanoma.Make the call · Several times a day

Skills to build & where you could move ↓

🔒 Many of these tasks involve people's information. Remove names and identifying details before using AI, or use only a tool your employer has approved.

AI can draft these 0

AI produces a usable first pass. You review it, fix it and own it.

None of this job's tasks are here.

AI can help you prep these 5

AI speeds up the prep, drafting or thinking. The core of the task is still yours.

Record patients' health histories.

Hourly or more

AI drafts the structure and wording; the specifics and sign-off are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can draft the structure and standard wording. The specifics, the judgment calls and the sign-off are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a dermatologist. Part of my job is to record patients' health histories.

Context: We use eClinicalWorks EHR software and Bizmatics PrognoCIS EMR.
Specialty: [chiropractic, dental, general]
What to capture: [conditions, meds, allergies, history]

Draft a medical history template with prompts. No patient data. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: History-taking template

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you record patients' health histories (today). Leave out names and identifying details.

Step 2Fill in [Specialty] and [What to capture] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Check every fact, name and number against your source before it goes anywhere.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Importance 4.6/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Record patient medical histories..

Read current literature, talk with colleagues, and participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in dermatology.

Weekly

AI explains and quizzes you; confirm against official sources.

Show prompt & steps

AI can explain new developments and quiz you. Confirm what you learn against official sources.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a dermatologist. Part of my job is to read current literature, talk with colleagues, and participate in professional organizations or conferences to keep abreast of developments in dermatology.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, biology and customer and personal service.
Specialty: [describe]
Topic: [guideline, technique]

Summarize recent evidence, quiz me, and list guidelines to read. Use examples from my line of work, quiz me with 5 questions one at a time, and list trustworthy sources.

10-minute exercise: Clinical update

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you read current literature (this week).

Step 2Fill in [Specialty] and [Topic] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Check one claim against an official or professional source.

AI's knowledge has a cutoff date. For new regulations and standards, always confirm against the official source.

Importance 4.3/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Maintain medical or professional knowledge..

Instruct interns or residents in diagnosis and treatment of dermatological diseases.

Weekly

AI preps the materials; reading the room is you.

Show prompt & steps

AI preps the materials: lesson outlines, quizzes, examples, practice scenarios. Reading the room and coaching people is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a dermatologist. Part of my job is to instruct interns or residents in diagnosis and treatment of dermatological diseases.

Context: We use eClinicalWorks EHR software and Bizmatics PrognoCIS EMR; the work draws on medicine and dentistry, biology and customer and personal service.
Technique: [procedure]
Learners: [providers, assistants]

Plan teaching with demonstration and supervised practice. Include timings, a realistic practice scenario from my work, and a short check for understanding with answers.

10-minute exercise: Teach clinical techniques

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you instruct interns or residents (this week). Leave out names and identifying details.

Step 2Fill in [Technique] and [Learners] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Swap one AI example for a real story from your own work. Real stories are what people remember.

Check that every procedure in the material matches your workplace's actual standards.

Importance 4.1/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Train medical providers..

Evaluate patients to determine eligibility for cosmetic procedures such as liposuction, laser resurfacing, or microdermabrasion.

Weekly

AI does the arithmetic and suggests what to look at; the conclusions are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can do the arithmetic, build the spreadsheet formula and suggest what to look at. Deciding what the numbers mean for your situation is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a dermatologist. Part of my job is to evaluate patients to determine eligibility for cosmetic procedures such as liposuction, laser resurfacing, or microdermabrasion.

Context: We use Microsoft Excel; the work draws on medicine and dentistry, biology and customer and personal service.
Data: [de-identified records, trends]
Goal: [treatment planning]

Identify patterns and needs. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Patient needs analysis

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you evaluate patients (this week). Leave out names and identifying details.

Step 2Fill in [Data] and [Goal] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Importance 2.9/5 · O*NET work activity: Analyze patient data to determine patient needs or treatment goals..

Conduct clinical or basic research.

Monthly

AI gets you up to speed; confirm findings with records or people.

Show prompt & steps

AI can get you up to speed fast and suggest where to look, but you need to confirm findings against real sources, records or people.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a dermatologist. Part of my job is to conduct clinical or basic research.

Context: We use eClinicalWorks EHR software and Bizmatics PrognoCIS EMR; the work draws on medicine and dentistry, biology and customer and personal service.
Topic: [condition, treatment, question]
My goal: [study design, teaching, clinical update]

Summarize current evidence, key trials, open questions, and search terms for PubMed. Mark anything uncertain. I will verify every source.

10-minute exercise: Medical research brief

Step 1Pick a topic you need to get current on.

Step 2Fill in [Topic] and [My goal] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Look up the key trials it names. Don't use any you can't find.

AI can invent sources and citations. Open every link and confirm it says what the AI claims.

Importance 3.4/5 · O*NET work activity: Conduct research to increase knowledge about medical issues..

These stay human 13

They need your hands, your presence or your accountable judgment. Lean into them: they get more valuable as routine work is automated.

📏 Measured in this job (O*NET work context): Face-to-face discussions: every day · Contact with others: constant contact with others · Dealing with the public: extremely important · Responsible for others' health and safety: very high responsibility

Conduct complete skin examinations.

Hourly or more

Hands-on care. AI only helps with prep, explanations and paperwork.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can help around the care: plain-language explanations for patients, study and revision, checklists and paperwork drafts. Use only tools your employer has approved for health information.

Prep prompt

I work as a dermatologist. Part of my job is to conduct complete skin examinations.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, biology and customer and personal service.
Exam type: [general, musculoskeletal, pre-participation]
Patient group: [general description]

Make an exam sequence, plain-language explanations, and red flags. Keep it free of any patient details, add plain-language wording I can use with people, and list the warning signs that mean I should escalate.

10-minute exercise: Physical exam prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you conduct complete skin examinations (today).

Step 2Fill in [Exam type] and [Patient group] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Use the explanations with your next patient.

Importance 4.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Examine patients to assess general physical condition..

Counsel patients on topics such as the need for annual dermatologic screenings, sun protection, skin cancer awareness, or skin and lymph node self-examinations.

Several times a day

Human connection. Use AI only before and after, to prepare.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI before and after, not during. Prepare talking points, practise a hard conversation, or turn your notes into a follow-up.

Prep prompt

I work as a dermatologist. Part of my job is to counsel patients on topics such as the need for annual dermatologic screenings, sun protection, skin cancer awareness, or skin and lymph node self-examinations.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, biology and customer and personal service.
Topic: [dental care, foot care, prevention]
Patient group: [general]

Help me prepare: the 3 points that matter most for them, plain-language wording, the questions they're likely to ask, and what I should not advise on without more information. Then play them so I can practice.

10-minute exercise: Prevention advice

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you counsel patients. Leave out names and identifying details.

Step 2Fill in [Topic] and [Patient group] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3After the real conversation, write down what worked so you can reuse it.

📊 People already use AI around this task (Anthropic Economic Index, Apr 2026 to May 2026). The task itself stays human-led.

Importance 4.8/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Advise patients on preventive care techniques..

Diagnose and treat pigmented lesions such as common acquired nevi, congenital nevi, dysplastic nevi, Spitz nevi, blue nevi, or melanoma.

Several times a day

Your accountable call. Use AI as a sounding board beforehand.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI as a sounding board before you decide. Ask it to argue the other side, list what you might be overlooking, or organize the evidence.

Prep prompt

I work as a dermatologist. Part of my job is to diagnose and treat pigmented lesions such as common acquired nevi, congenital nevi, dysplastic nevi, Spitz nevi, blue nevi, or melanoma.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, biology and customer and personal service.
Presentation: [symptoms, signs, no patient details]
Results: [tests]

List a differential with what supports or argues against each, and next tests. I make the diagnosis.

10-minute exercise: Differential diagnosis check

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you diagnose and treat pigmented lesions.

Step 2Fill in [Presentation] and [Results] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Decide yourself and note anything you'd overlooked.

Importance 4.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Diagnose medical conditions.. Also involves: Treat chronic diseases or disorders..

Diagnose and treat skin conditions such as acne, dandruff, athlete's foot, moles, psoriasis, or skin cancer.

Several times a day

Your accountable call. Use AI as a sounding board beforehand.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI as a sounding board before you decide. Ask it to argue the other side, list what you might be overlooking, or organize the evidence.

Prep prompt

I work as a dermatologist. Part of my job is to diagnose and treat skin conditions such as acne, dandruff, athlete's foot, moles, psoriasis, or skin cancer.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, biology and customer and personal service.
Presentation: [symptoms, signs, no patient details]
Results: [tests]

List a differential with what supports or argues against each, and next tests. I make the diagnosis.

10-minute exercise: Differential diagnosis check

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you diagnose and treat skin conditions.

Step 2Fill in [Presentation] and [Results] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Decide yourself and note anything you'd overlooked.

Importance 4.7/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Diagnose medical conditions.. Also involves: Treat chronic diseases or disorders..

Perform skin surgery to improve appearance, make early diagnoses, or control diseases such as skin cancer.

Several times a day

Hands-on care. AI only helps with prep, explanations and paperwork.

Show prep prompt & steps

Prep prompt

I work as a dermatologist. Part of my job is to perform skin surgery to improve appearance, make early diagnoses, or control diseases such as skin cancer.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, biology and customer and personal service.
Procedure: [type]
Key steps: [describe]

Summarize as study notes with risks and patient education points. Keep it free of any patient details, add plain-language wording I can use with people, and list the warning signs that mean I should escalate.

10-minute exercise: Surgical case prep notes

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you perform skin surgery.

Step 2Fill in [Procedure] and [Key steps] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Your training and guidelines are the authority.

Importance 4.8/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Operate on patients to treat conditions..

Recommend diagnostic tests based on patients' histories and physical examination findings.

Several times a day

Your accountable call. Use AI as a sounding board beforehand.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI as a sounding board before you decide. Ask it to argue the other side, list what you might be overlooking, or organize the evidence.

Prep prompt

I work as a dermatologist. Part of my job is to recommend diagnostic tests based on patients' histories and physical examination findings.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, biology and customer and personal service.
Presentation: [general, no patient details]
Question: [what to rule in or out]

List tests that could help, what each tells you, and costs or risks. I decide. Argue the strongest case against my current view and list what extra information would change the decision. I make the final call.

10-minute exercise: Test ordering prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you recommend diagnostic tests based. Leave out names and identifying details.

Step 2Fill in [Presentation] and [Question] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Make the call yourself, then note whether anything it raised changed your mind.

Importance 4.6/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Order medical diagnostic or clinical tests..

Prescribe hormonal agents or topical treatments such as contraceptives, spironolactone, antiandrogens, oral corticosteroids, retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, or antibiotics.

Several times a day

Your accountable call. Use AI as a sounding board beforehand.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI as a sounding board before you decide. Ask it to argue the other side, list what you might be overlooking, or organize the evidence.

Prep prompt

I work as a dermatologist. Part of my job is to prescribe hormonal agents or topical treatments such as contraceptives, spironolactone, antiandrogens, oral corticosteroids, retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, or antibiotics.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, biology and customer and personal service.
Indication: [general]
Options: [drugs]

List considerations, interactions and dosing to verify. I prescribe. Argue the strongest case against my current view and list what extra information would change the decision. I make the final call.

10-minute exercise: Prescribing check

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you prescribe hormonal agents or topical treatments.

Step 2Fill in [Indication] and [Options] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Make the call yourself, then note whether anything it raised changed your mind.

Importance 4.3/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Prescribe medications..

Perform incisional biopsies to diagnose melanoma.

Daily

Hands-on care. AI only helps with prep, explanations and paperwork.

Show prep prompt & steps

Prep prompt

I work as a dermatologist. Part of my job is to perform incisional biopsies to diagnose melanoma.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, biology and customer and personal service.
Procedure: [type]
Key steps: [describe]

Summarize as study notes with risks and patient education points. Keep it free of any patient details, add plain-language wording I can use with people, and list the warning signs that mean I should escalate.

10-minute exercise: Surgical case prep notes

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you perform incisional biopsies (today).

Step 2Fill in [Procedure] and [Key steps] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Your training and guidelines are the authority.

Importance 4.8/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Operate on patients to treat conditions..

Provide therapies such as intralesional steroids, chemical peels, or comodo removal to treat age spots, sun damage, rough skin, discolored skin, or oily skin.

Several times a day

Hands-on care. AI only helps with prep, explanations and paperwork.

Show prep prompt & steps

Prep prompt

I work as a dermatologist. Part of my job is to provide therapies such as intralesional steroids, chemical peels, or comodo removal to treat age spots, sun damage, rough skin, discolored skin, or oily skin.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, biology and customer and personal service.
Condition: [describe]
Goals: [management]

Prepare patient education and follow-up plan. Keep it free of any patient details, add plain-language wording I can use with people, and list the warning signs that mean I should escalate.

10-minute exercise: Chronic condition support

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you provide therapies.

Step 2Fill in [Condition] and [Goals] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Compare it line by line with your protocol. Your protocol always wins. Check it against the manufacturer's manual and your site procedure before you rely on it.

Safety-critical: AI output is a starting point. Follow your site's procedures and the manufacturer's guidance.

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Treat chronic diseases or disorders..

Provide dermatologic consultation to other health professionals.

Weekly

Human connection. Use AI only before and after, to prepare.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI before and after, not during. Prepare talking points, practise a hard conversation, or turn your notes into a follow-up.

Prep prompt

I work as a dermatologist. Part of my job is to provide dermatologic consultation to other health professionals.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, biology and customer and personal service.
Question: [discharge, communication, specialty topic]
Who: [clinicians, educators]

Help me prepare: the 3 points that matter most for them, plain-language wording, the questions they're likely to ask, and what I should not advise on without more information. Then play them so I can practice.

10-minute exercise: Clinical consultation

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you provide dermatologic consultation (this week).

Step 2Fill in [Question] and [Who] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3After the real conversation, write down what worked so you can reuse it.

Importance 4.3/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Advise medical personnel regarding healthcare issues..

Refer patients to other specialists, as needed.

Weekly

Your accountable call. Use AI as a sounding board beforehand.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI as a sounding board before you decide. Ask it to argue the other side, list what you might be overlooking, or organize the evidence.

Prep prompt

I work as a dermatologist. Part of my job is to refer patients to other specialists, as needed.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, biology and customer and personal service.
Situation: [general, no patient details]
Options: [specialists, services]

List red flags and criteria for referral, and what to include in the referral. I decide.

10-minute exercise: Referral decision prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you refer patients (this week). Leave out names and identifying details.

Step 2Fill in [Situation] and [Options] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Make the call yourself, then note whether anything it raised changed your mind.

Importance 4.1/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Refer patients to other healthcare practitioners or health resources..

Conduct or order diagnostic tests such as chest radiographs (x-rays), microbiologic tests, or endocrinologic tests.

Daily

Your accountable call. Use AI as a sounding board beforehand.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI as a sounding board before you decide. Ask it to argue the other side, list what you might be overlooking, or organize the evidence.

Prep prompt

I work as a dermatologist. Part of my job is to conduct or order diagnostic tests such as chest radiographs (x-rays), microbiologic tests, or endocrinologic tests.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, biology and customer and personal service.
Presentation: [general, no patient details]
Question: [what to rule in or out]

List tests that could help, what each tells you, and costs or risks. I decide. Argue the strongest case against my current view and list what extra information would change the decision. I make the final call.

10-minute exercise: Test ordering prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you conduct or order diagnostic tests (today).

Step 2Fill in [Presentation] and [Question] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Make the call yourself, then note whether anything it raised changed your mind.

Importance 4.3/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Order medical diagnostic or clinical tests..

Provide dermabrasion or laser abrasion to treat atrophic scars, elevated scars, or other skin conditions.

Monthly

Hands-on care. AI only helps with prep, explanations and paperwork.

Show prep prompt & steps

Prep prompt

I work as a dermatologist. Part of my job is to provide dermabrasion or laser abrasion to treat atrophic scars, elevated scars, or other skin conditions.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, biology and customer and personal service.
Condition: [describe]
Goals: [management]

Prepare patient education and follow-up plan. Keep it free of any patient details, add plain-language wording I can use with people, and list the warning signs that mean I should escalate.

10-minute exercise: Chronic condition support

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you provide dermabrasion or laser abrasion.

Step 2Fill in [Condition] and [Goals] with the real details, then run the prompt.

Step 3Compare it line by line with your protocol. Your protocol always wins.

Importance 3.2/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Treat chronic diseases or disorders..

Get the full prompt pack for Dermatologists

Every task, prompt and 10-minute exercise on this page in one PDF, formatted to print or keep on your desktop. Free.

Your next moves

Skills to build

From O*NET's ratings of how important each skill is in this job, matched to which part of the work it supports.

Stays human Deepen these

They power the human-led work, which is the part of the job AI can't take over.

Critical Thinkingimportance 4.1/5
Used in: Monitoring and Controlling Resources
Active Listeningimportance 4.0/5
Used in: Assisting and Caring for Others
Monitoringimportance 3.5/5
Used in: Assisting and Caring for Others
Judgment and Decision Makingimportance 3.8/5
Used in: Monitoring and Controlling Resources

With AI Use these to work with AI

When AI does the first draft, these are the skills you use to brief it and check what comes back.

Learning Strategiesimportance 3.1/5
Used in: Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
Time Managementimportance 3.1/5
Used in: Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Where you could move

Related jobs from O*NET with the closest skill profile, favouring ones where more of the work stays human. No step down in preparation.

Allergists and Immunologists80% human-led · Same preparation · $265,930/yr · usually post-doctoral training
Skills to build: Active Learning, Time Management, Systems Evaluation
Emergency Medicine Physicians81% human-led · Same preparation · $335,550/yr · usually post-doctoral training
Skills to build: Social Perceptiveness, Learning Strategies, Judgment and Decision Making
Midwives81% human-led · Same preparation · $65,790/yr · usually post-secondary certificate
Skills to build: Social Perceptiveness, Monitoring
Neuropsychologists45% human-led · Same preparation · $110,840/yr · usually post-doctoral training
Skills to build: Learning Strategies, Social Perceptiveness, Mathematics

Getting into this job

Doctoral degree is most common (56% of workers)

Certificate or some college 1%
Associate's 6%
Graduate degree 93%

On-the-job training: 1–3 months
Related experience: 2–4 years
Professional certification: important (4.5/5)

What workers in this job report, from O*NET surveys (typical values).

Software in this job

In-demand tools from O*NET. Many now have AI built in, so check what yours can do before adding a new tool.

Cisco WebexeClinicalWorks EHR softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft WordZoom