Taiwanese Dermatological Association

The Taiwanese Dermatological Association (TDA; Chinese: 臺灣皮膚科醫學會) is the national professional organization for dermatologists in Taiwan. Established on 2 February 1975, it was founded by leading dermatologists including Yau‑Chin Lu, Tsu‑Chieh Shen, and Hua‑Min Weng to foster professional networking, continuing education, and collaboration with international dermatology bodies. TDA’s mission is to advance dermatological science, clinical practice, research, and international exchange in Taiwan. The Association oversees dermatology residency training in Taiwan and provides continuing medical education programs. It currently has over 1,000 members, including clinicians from academic medical centers, government, private practice, and basic researchers.^[1]

Dermatological practice in Taiwan traces back to early 20th century when a dermatology department was established at Taipei Hospital in 1908. By 1919, the Department of Dermato‑Urology at what became National Taiwan University School of Medicine was founded, marking the formal beginning of dermatology as a discipline on the island. Independent dermatology departments proliferated through the 1960s. In 1975, TDA was officially created to unify dermatologist training and academic efforts.^[1]

TDA organizes a Spring Aesthetic Conference in April and a larger Annual Scientific Meeting in November. Regional clinicopathology meetings and seminars are held monthly across northern, central, and southern Taiwan, offering continuing education for practitioners. The 50th Annual Meeting took place in November 2024 at the Taipei International Convention Center, while the 51st Annual Meeting is scheduled for 7–9 November 2025 with a focus on artificial intelligence and precision medicine in dermatology.^[2][3]

Since 1983, TDA has published the peer‑reviewed journal Dermatologica Sinica, initially quarterly and now bimonthly. The journal was indexed in the Science Citation Index Expanded in 2008, reflecting its academic recognition. TDA members actively participate in international research collaborations, focusing on topics including cutaneous drug hypersensitivity, vitiligo, psoriasis, arsenic poisoning, and skin cancers — contributing significantly to dermatologic science regionally and globally.^[4]

TDA collaborates with the Taiwanese Society for Investigative Dermatology (TSID)—formed in 2006—to support translational and basic dermatology research. Together, they drive research progress and international academic exchange.

• Taiwanese Dermatological Association