COURSE OVERVIEW

GPs are confronted with common skin, nail and hair conditions on a regular basis as patients have limited access to dermatologists. In fact, the largest organ of the human body makes up 15 percent of general practice consultations on a day-to-day
basis. Undergraduate dermatology training is minimal in many medical schools and without additional education in general dermatology, GPs are often underequipped to handle common presentations.

Presented by noted dermatologists, the Advanced Certificate of General Dermatology will increase your clinical knowledge, teach you how to assess more complex and rare cases and make differential diagnoses for various dermatological conditions.  

This course is the second part of the three-part Professional Diploma of General Dermatology. The education pathway is Professional Certificate of General Dermatology, Advanced Certificate of General Dermatology and Professional Diploma of General Dermatology.

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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS AND COURSE REQUISITES

The Advanced Certificate of General Dermatology is ideal for medical professionals who wish to increase their clinical skills, assess more complex and rare cases, and make differential diagnoses for various dermatological conditions. Participants will be equipped with knowledge that is often lacking from undergraduate medical studies and can expect to confidently address their patients’ skin concerns on a day-to-day basis. The course is suitable for medical doctors, International Medical Graduates, degree-qualified nurses and dermal therapists who work under the supervision of a general practitioner, and other degree-qualified health professionals with an interest in skin. Participants do not have to pass an IELTS test but, as the courses are delivered in English, proficiency in listening, reading and writing English is assumed.

The prerequisite for this course is the successful completion of the Professional Certificate of General Dermatology (or qualification deemed equivalent). HealthCert also recommends successful completion of at least 25 cases of general dermatology prior to enrolment.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Professionally accredited qualifications and prior studies may be recognised for entry into this course. Please send an email to credit@healthcert.com for an individual assessment of your prior qualifications and experience. This email should contain information about your educational history and work experience that specifically pertain to the content and procedures covered in the Professional Certificate of General Dermatology. Please include any applicable certificates and course outlines from previous education. The relevant Course Chair will make a determination on your application within two to three weeks.

COURSE CONTENTS

The certificate course offers richly illustrated clinical examples and opportunities for interactive discussions on the cases provided and covers various dermatology conditions.

The theory sessions cover:

  • Dermatological emergencies
  • Vitiligo
  • Skin infestations
  • Dermatomyositis
  • Sarcoidosis
  • Psoriasis
  • Lichen planus
  • Atopic dermatitis
  • Patch testing
  • Acne
  • Contact dermatitis
  • Cutaneous lymphomas
  • Cicatricial alopecia
  • Rare nail disorders
  • Hidradenitis suppurativa
  • Bullous pemphigoid

Course participants will:

  • Have the opportunity to replay video lectures from medical experts.
  • Participate in discussions of patient cases, evaluate and make decisions.
  • Receive a comprehensive course folder and research/readings in the field.
  • All presentation slides available for download.
  • Participate in course webinars prior to the examinations and ask questions.
  • Receive unlimited and ongoing access to free alumni learning resources, video lectures, and discussion forums, as well as invite-only events and special offers after completion of the course.
  • Receive ongoing support post-course through webinars and case review
  • Have the opportunity to participate in optional clinical attachments at dedicated dermatology clinics.

COURSE OUTLINE

Module 1: Dermatological emergencies, vitiligo and skin infestations – Dr Christopher Ross

You will learn to recognise and manage dermatological emergencies including erythroderma, drug reactions, necrotising fasciitis, staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome, meningococcal infections, and SJS/TEN. In the second section of this module, you will learn about vitiligo including new and emerging therapeutic modalities in treating these autoimmune disorders. In the third section, you will learn to identify parasitic diseases including scabies, strongyloidiasis stercoralis, strongyloides, cutaneous larva migrans, schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis, and the recommended treatment for these conditions.

Module 2: Treatment of dermatomyositis and sarcoidosis – Prof Richard Usatine

You will learn to describe and manage the different types of systemic treatments for dermatomyositis and sarcoidosis and also learn how to minimise the osteoporosis effects when using long term prednisone. You will also learn how to monitor for side effects when using these systemic medications.

Module 3: Systemic treatment options for psoriasis and lichen planus – Prof Richard Usatine

You will learn the systemic treatment options for psoriasis and lichen planus, collect patient clues to determine which treatment options are best for the patient, and compare the pros and cons of various treatments.

Module 4: Systemic treatment for atopic dermatitis, and the differential diagnosis and treatment of acne - A/Prof Caterina Longo

You will improve your ability to accurately diagnose and manage cases of atopic dermatitis, recognise differences in infant, childhood and adult presentations of atopic dermatitis, and learn to diagnose and manage conditions associated with and sometimes confused with atopic dermatitis.

Module 5: Patch testing, contact dermatitis and cutaneous lymphomas – Dr Christopher Ross

You will learn the role of patch testing, how to interpret results, how to differentiate between allergic and irritant contact dermatitis, and how to manage these conditions. You will understand the role of patch testing with cutaneous lymphomas, compound and other allergies, and complications that may occur with patch testing. You will increase your knowledge of the common primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, mycosis fungoides, sezary sundrome, lymphomatoid papulosis, primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma, and leukaemia cutis.

Module 6: Cicatricial alopecia and rare nail disorders – Dr Zoe Apalla

You will learn about diseases resulting in nail changes including Beau’s lines, onychomadesis, nail pitting, onychorrhexis, pterygium, trachyonychia, true leukonychia, koilonychia, onycholysis, onychauxis, splinter haemorrhages, discolouration, clubbing, onychogryphosis, median canaliform dystrophy, ingrowing toenail, paronychia, subungual haematoma, pincer nails, and tumours of the nail bed. You will also learn about alopecias, understand their causal factors, and learn how to manage these conditions.  

Module 7: Hidradenitis suppurativa and bullous pemphigoid – Dr Jonathan Karnes

You will learn how to diagnose hidradenitis suppurativa including identifying risk factors, make treatment decisions and monitor combination antibiotic therapy and biologic therapy safely. You will learn to identify associated disorders and syndromes. In the second section of this module, you will learn to determine the correct steps to differentiate blistering disorders and make treatment decisions for patients with blistering disorders.

Module 8: More challenging cases - Dr Christopher Ross

You will review various challenging dermatology cases, recognise their causal factors, and learn to diagnose and manage more complex dermatological conditions.

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SPECIAL RATES AND PAYMENT OPTIONS

REGISTRARS
SCHOLARSHIP

Save up to $300

For doctors in training who are on a pathway to General Practice Registration through a recognised training provider.
COURSE
BUNDLES

Save up to $545

Enrol in two or three courses within the same education pathway to optimise your savings.
DEFERRED
PAYMENTS

Monthly from $605

Enrol in one, two or three courses within a pathway now and pay later in small monthly instalments.
*The individual offers and special rates cannot be used in conjunction with any other specials. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT AVAILABLE PAYMENT OPTIONS

MEET YOUR INSTRUCTORS

Your instructors are widely regarded as some of the world’s foremost specialists in skin cancer medicine and business management, including:
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Prof Richard P. Usatine

MD PhD

Professor of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Texas, USA

Founder and Medical Director, University Health System Skin Clinic, USA

Professor Richard Usatine is the Professor of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery at the University of Texas. He is the author of nine books and over 120 papers, founder of the Interactive Dermatology Atlas, and is the most recognised skin cancer presenter in the USA. Since 2000, he has been chosen yearly by his peers to be included in The Best Doctors in America. He is also the national chair of the yearly Skin Course put on by the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Richard has been involved in Global Health through his work in Mexico, Guatemala, Panama, Haiti and Ethiopia. In 2000, Richard Usatine was recognised as the national recipient of the Humanism in Medicine Award by the Association of American Medical Colleges.

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A/Prof Caterina Longo

MD PhD

Scientific Coordinator, Skin Cancer Unit, ASMN-IRCCS, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy

Associate Professor Caterina Longo is a board-certified dermatologist specialising in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancers. Although providing the best care possible for patients remains her primary goal, she also committed to education and clinical research. She is actively involved in clinical research and has published numerous papers on topics related to skin cancer with an emphasis on melanoma, atypical nevi, Spitz/Reed nevi and non-melanoma skin cancer.

Caterina’s research interests are focused on the use of imaging instruments such as dermoscopy and confocal laser microscopy to recognise skin cancer early in its development. She pioneered the use of ex vivo fluorescence confocal microscopy for micrographic Mohs surgery applied for basal cell carcinoma and other visceral tumours. Caterina lectures on these topics both nationally and internationally.

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Dr Christopher M Ross

BSc(BiomedSc)(Hons) BMBS FACD

Dr Christopher Ross is an Adelaide-based Dermatologist who completed a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science with Honours at Adelaide University in 2004, before completing his Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery at Flinders University in 2008.

Dermatology specialist training was conducted at Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Flinders Medical Centre and Royal Adelaide Hospital; he was awarded Fellowship of the Australasian College of Dermatologists (FACD) in 2016. Dr Ross has published multiple articles in the Australasian Journal of Dermatology and has written and presented several courses in General Dermatology with HealthCert for teaching purposes.

Dr Ross has a keen interest in rural dermatology, providing outreach services to Darwin and rural South Australia. He also holds the position of Visiting Medical Specialist at Flinders Medical Centre, providing care and teaching to Dermatology registrars. Dr Ross has an interest in all general dermatology including acne, eczema, psoriasis and hair loss.

Dr Ross become a founding member of DermoDirect, which is an online teledermatology service that provides a valuable specialist service to rural areas of Australia. He also is a founder of Diagnode, the telehealth platform behind Dermodirect.

 

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Dr Jonathan B. Karnes

MD

Dr Jonathan B. Karnes is a family medicine physician with special fellowship training in dermatology. He is employed by MDFMR Dermatology Services and is a member of Maine General Medical Center's active staff. He is also a faculty member in the Maine Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency program.

Jonathan’s special interest areas include:

  • Advancement flaps
  • Burn therapy (excluding burns requiring grafting)
  • Cryotherapy of skin lesions
  • Destruction of malignant skin lesions by electrosurgery or cryosurgery
  • Excision/biopsy of skin lesions without grafting
  • Fricke graft for small skin defects
  • Incision and drainage of superficial abscesses and haematomas
  • Intermediate and complex facial repairs
  • Local infiltration anaesthesia with minor nerve blocks
  • Patch tests for allergy diagnosis
  • Phototherapy
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Dr Zoe Apalla

MD PhD

Consultant Dermatologist, State Hospital for Skin and Venereal Diseases, Thessaloniki, Greece

Dr Zoe Apalla was board certified in dermatology in 2008 at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. She was trained in dermatopathology at the St John’s Institute of Dermatology in London in 2010 and obtained her PhD degree at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in 2013.

Zoe has worked as a consultant in the First Dermatology Department of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki since 2010. She oversees the Supportive Oncology Outpatient Clinic and the Skin Cancer Outpatient Clinic, and the department’s dermatopathology laboratory. She also holds General Dermatology and Inflammatory Dermatoses Outpatient Clinics.

Zoe’s main research fields include skin oncology, melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer, topical treatments, photodynamic therapy and dermatoscopy. She has published more than 100 peer-reviewed scientific articles in international journals and has lectured at many international and national congresses and meetings.

COURSE DELIVERY AND ASSESSMENT

We offer a ‘start anytime online’ course structure, which gives flexible start and completion times for studies, as well as exam extensions, to fit in with busy schedules. Participants can enjoy the flexibility to study at their own pace, in their own time, within their home or office, and on their favourite mobile device. The online modules are set up in such a way that participants are not required to be online at specific times but can view and replay the video lectures at their convenience. The webinars offer the opportunity to join and interact with the presenters online in real-time but can also be viewed later. There are no face-to-face requirements for exams which can be conveniently completed online within six months of the course start date. With no travel, accommodation or out-of-office expenses incurred, participants can build critical skills and tailor their career while working in a busy practice or raising a family.

This is course is delivered online in eight modules over 15 weeks, with 12 weeks of teaching followed by three weeks for revision and final examinations. The course includes online presentations from experts in the field followed by patient case discussions and decision-making. There is a final webinar prior to examinations.

The course includes: 

  • Digital workbook including all presentation slides.
  • Access to additional learning resources, reference materials and video lectures.
  • Reading list with references to peer-reviewed journal articles to keep up-to-date with developments in the field.
  • 12 months' web-based support with the opportunity to ask the instructors questions while you implement your learning.

In order to meet the requirements of professional and academic learning, the course assessment includes professional requirements and two online examinations.

  • Develop a one-page report/explanation of how you will use the learning from this course in your professional work.
  • Compile a report listing the resource materials that you have collected to advance and apply your knowledge.

Online assessment

  • 88 knowledge questions based on a scenario of a medical practitioner undertaking special interest training.
    • 11 per module
      Example: The medical practitioner believes that 10% of the population … Is he correct?  Yes/No
  • 88 authentic scenario based questions based on cases of patient care at a clinic
    • 11 per module
      Example: A patient arrives at your clinic with this problem … What should you do?  Multiple choice images based on patient cases.

The knowledge-based examination is worth 50 per cent and the application-based examination is worth 50 per cent. The overall pass mark is 80 per cent. It is therefore not possible to pass this course on knowledge alone. Knowledge must be successfully applied to patient cases in order to pass the course.

HealthCert recommends completion of the assessment at your convenience within six months of the course start date.

CERTIFICATION AND ACCREDITATION

Advanced Certificate of General Dermatology

Upon successful completion of the course requirements, course participants will receive the Advanced Certificate of General Dermatology certificate and below points. To learn more about the delivery of certificates in Australia and overseas, please visit our FAQs.

RACGP CPD Accredited Activity 40 Points
ACRRM - PDP units: 43 Educational activity, 8 Performance review

 

This advanced certificate:

  • Provides CPD points from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).
  • Provides PDP points from the Australian Council of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM).
  • Is recognised by the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP).
  • Is recognised by the Hong Kong College of Family Physicians (HKCFP). The HKCFP recognises all courses
    endorsed by the RACGP. Points are calculated differently.
  • Is a self-submitted activity in Dubai. The number of CPD points must be stated on the certificate. Please contact PLD@dhcr.gov.ae for more information.
  • Is a self-submitted activity in the UK. CPD events overseas, applicable to a doctor’s scope of practice, may be submitted for revalidation. Please confirm with your Responsible Officer.
  • Is a self-submitted activity in Canada through the College of Family Physicians of Canada. Category 1 points are reported as certified and Category 2 points are reported as non-certified. Contact mainprocredits@cfpc.ca for more information.
  • Meets World Federation of Medical Education standards.
  • Is quality-assured by Bond University.
  • Is recognised by the Hong Kong College of Family Physicians (HKCFP). The HKCFP recognises all courses endorsed by the RACGP. Points are calculated differently.
  • Qualifies for certified clinical attachments in General Dermatology in Austria at the University of Vienna.
  • Provides credit for Postgraduate Diploma in General Dermatology which is studied online at the Rila Institute of Health Sciences which in turn provides credit for a Master of Science in Dermatology awarded by the University of Plymouth (UK).
  • Has been independently developed with subject specialists and does not receive education grants from any pharmaceutical company.

EDUCATION PATHWAYS

Professional Diploma Pathway

This course is the second stage of the professional diploma pathway. The full pathway is: Professional Certificate of General Dermatology, Advanced Certificate of General Dermatology, Professional Diploma of General Dermatology.
 

Postgraduate Pathway

This pathway is suitable for doctors who are mainly interested in clinical academic study.

Postgraduate Diploma in Dermatology studied through the Rila Institute of Health Sciences and awarded by the University of Plymouth (UK).

There are three modules in the Postgraduate Diploma. Medical professionals who successfully complete the HealthCert Professional Certificate of General Dermatology, Advanced Certificate of General Dermatology and Professional Diploma of General Dermatology will be eligible to apply for Accreditation of Prior Certified Learning (APCL) for module 3 of the Rila Institute/Plymouth University Postgraduate Diploma in Dermatology.

The Postgraduate Diploma is mainly delivered online. No practical workshops will be required due to the APCL from the HealthCert qualifications. Overall there will be a time saving of 40 per cent of the postgraduate program due to the APCL. Exams will be held in Perth, Western Australia.

When the Postgraduate Diploma has been successfully completed, medical professionals can apply for credit from the Postgraduate Diploma to the Master of Science in the specialism awarded by the University of Plymouth

 

Certified Clinical Attachments Pathway

Clinical Attachments in Dermatology are optional and available on a 1:1 or small group basis. These provide the opportunity to observe skin cancer medicine treatments and ask questions of the expert performing the treatments. In addition to clinical attachments in Australia, university teaching hospitals at the University of Vienna is available for clinical attachment. 
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