The Evolution of the Evidence Based Hair Fellowship Training Program

EBHF Training Program

6 years ago, I sat down at my desk at the end of a busy clinic and scribbled on a piece of paper an outline to what would eventually become an outline to the future Evidence Based Hair Fellowship (EBHF) training program. At that time, I had just finished hosting a visiting dermatologist in my clinic for the week. We spent the week together reviewing patients together and discussing some really tough cases. The visiting dermatologist was bright and enthusiastic and as we often say as an expression - the dermatologist was a “sponge” for new information.

At the very end of the week, we said our final goodbyes and my dermatology guest left my office. I returned to my desk, sat down and picked up a pen and started writing.

It was clear to me that evening that what this dermatologist really needed now was not another visit to another clinic. What this dermatologist needed now was a challenging and stimulating training program that could help him even further develop the kinds of skills that will be needed for a lifelong practice in hair loss medicine. It was clear to me that what this dermatologist needed now was the opportunity to read more about hair loss and be guided to do so, the opportunity to be challenged, an opportunity to fully commit to answering questions and solving diverse problems about hair loss in children and adults.

That evening was the source of many of the ideas that would serve as foundations for the Evidence Based Hair Fellowship Training Program.

That was 2017.

Thinking carefully about the needs of trainees was something I thought alot about even before 2017. Training doctors about hair loss was something that I did often. I had many training opportunities for doctors in my clinic. In fact, I hosted dermatologists for an intensive week long training program in Toronto, Canada for several years. The “International Hair Course” was great intense and fun and we learned alot of new information and new skills in just a short week!

But the new training program I had in mind would be different. It would require an entirely new foundation. And so in 2017, I set out to lay the foundation that I felt was needed.

GOAL 1: SOFTEN TO THE JOYS OF LEARNING ABOUT HAIR LOSS

My first goal was to help a wider audience of learners realize the joys that come with studying hair loss. I hired a videographer and video editor and invited him to come with me to my lectures. We recorded the lectures and put these up on our website and youtube. My goal was to help learners appreciate the thinking process and problem solving that comes with treating patients with hair loss. At that time, there were few such educational videos and I wanted to fill a void. My hope was that learners from around the world could have access to knowledge.

GOAL 2: PROMOTE AWARENESS THAT RESEARCH DRIVES EXPERTISE

My second goal was to help learners appreciate the value of hair loss research and how it shapes clinical practice. I also wanted learners to understand that not all hair loss research is good research and not all findings and conclusions published in medical journals are true, valid, applicable or justified. I knew this was a delicate matter but I knew this needed to be discussed. I wanted to develop a new venue for discussion of ideas and encourage others. In Dec 2020, I launched the “Top 20 Hair Research Studies of 2020” as a way to draw attention to good hair loss research - research that really changes what goes on the clinic. I also hoped that the discussion would stimulate further interest in a variety of areas of hair loss medicine.

Every December now, we celebrate the top 20 studies of the past year. It’s our tradition. This year, the Top 20 studies of 2023 is planned for December 13 2023. Join us!

GOAL 3: SLOWLY DISPEL THE MYTH THAT “NO RESEARCH” IS BEING DONE.

My third goal was to help learners appreciate the incredible and fast paced evolution that was taking place in the field of hair loss medicine. There is a misperception that hair loss research does not occur and that nothing is happening in this field. This of course is not true - there is nothing stagnate about the field of hair loss medicine. The way we do things in 2018 is not necessarily the way we do things in 2022! My worry was that continued perpetuation of such a view would detract good people from getting involved in various aspects of the hair loss field. I launched the Evidence Based Hair podcast in 2022 as a means to capture some aspects of this exciting evolution of our field.

AUG 1 2023: THE BEGINNING OF THE PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE EBHF

Finally on August 1 2023, I felt we were finally ready to announce the Evidence Based Hair Fellowship training program to the public. The program had goals to achieve what it came to achieve - to help practitioners develop new knowledge, new problem solving skills and new levels of skill in managing both straight forward and tough cases of hair loss. The program would welcome practitioners from across the world. It would provide a safe and stimulating environment for learners of all different levels. The ultimate judge of the EBHF program’s success would be the patients that are helped in the future by those who complete the rigorous EBHF program.

DEC 1, 2023: THE END OF THE BEGINNING

Dec 1, 2023 marks the final deadline for receipt of EBHF applications. It also marks the end of an important step for all of us here at the Donovan Hair Academy - finalizing the 2024-2025 EBHF training group. In the end, I’m so happy that we’ll be able to welcome approximately 100 EBHF fellows in Jan 2024 who will set out to learn about hair loss with an intensity and depth that will equip them extremely well to be our leaders of tomorrow.