Professional Certificate of Dermoscopy

Ideal foundation course for practitioners with little knowledge in lesion diagnosis.

Delivered in collaboration with the International Dermoscopy Society and CPD-accredited.

Presented by the world's leading dermoscopy experts including Prof Harald Kittler (Austria), Prof Giuseppe Argenziano (Italy), Prof Ashfaq A. Marghoob (USA), A/Prof Iris Zalaudek (Austria), and more.

This course is for medical doctors, International Medical Graduates, registered nurses, and degree-qualified health professionals.

CPD requirements

Fulfils 50 hrs for medical professionals in Australia*

Study modes

100% online

Course fee

$1995
Special rates available

Study duration

80.5 hrs
Self-paced

Algorithms and the Elephant Approach

This module introduces the history of algorithms for determining whether a skin lesion is benign or suspicious. It explains the evolution of pattern analysis and then focusses on the 3 Point Checklist and the Elephant Approach algorithms. Dermoscopic images are used throughout the presentation and the interpretation of the images using these algorithms is discussed in detail. The module finishes with a self-assessment quiz on dermoscopic lesions to reinforce learning.

The Chaos & Clues method

This module introduces the Chaos and Clues diagnostic method for identifying whether a skin lesion is benign or suspicious. This algorithm is based on revising pattern analysis to identify chaos, clues and exceptions, to assist with the diagnosis and management of skin lesions. Extensive images and examples are provided. In this module, the Chaos and Clues method is used to assess pigmented skin lesions such as melanomas, pigmented basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and pigmented squamous cell carcinoma (SCCs). The module also considers the four exceptions when considering a biopsy.

Benign non-melanocytic lesions commonly seen in the practice

This module identifies the four most common types of benign non-melanocytic skin lesions commonly seen in daily practice. It explains in detail the use of dermoscopy in diagnosing seborrheic keratosis, dermatofibroma, vascular tumours and sebaceous hyperplasia including numerous dermoscopic images. The module explains the factors influencing the prevalence and morphology of these benign lesions. The module concludes with three management rules to follow in order not to miss melanoma that mimics a benign non-melanocytic tumour.

Malignant non-melanocytic lesions commonly seen in the practice

This module focuses on malignant non-melanocytic skill lesions commonly seen in daily practice. It explains in detail the use of dermoscopy in diagnosing keratinocyte carcinomas, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Dermoscopic images and pattern analysis are used throughout the presentation to differentiate between benign and malignant skin lesions.

Melanocytic naevi

This module focusses on the classification of melanocytic naevi based on dermoscopy pattern, morphology, colour, and pigmentation distribution. The module outlines dermoscopic features of congenital nevi and acquired nevi. Dermoscopic images are used throughout the presentation to discuss the different classifications of congenital nevus and appropriate action to manage them.

Facial lesions

This module focuses on the dermoscopy of facial lesions. The topic is divided into four categories; pigmented flat facial lesions, pigmented mucosal lesions, non-pigmented neoplastic lesions, and non-pigmented non-neoplastic lesions. Each category is discussed in detail, and dermoscopic images are used throughout the presentation in identifying the differential diagnoses of skin lesions. The pattern analysis method is also outlined in this module and is used to identify different lesions on the face.

Acral lesions

This module explains the basic variations of acral melanocytic lesions which includes acral nevus and acral lentiginous melanoma. It briefly outlines the differential diagnoses of some melanosis such as Peutz Jeghers syndrome, Laugier Hunziker Baran syndrome, and drug-induced melanosis. The module then focusses on the dermoscopy of acral lesions which is divided into four criteria: parallel-furrow pattern regular or irregular and parallel-ridge pattern regular or irregular. The parallel patterns are discussed in this module and are used to identify whether a skin lesion is melanoma, haematoma, or a pigmented wart.

Management rules to detect melanoma

This module describes the dermoscopic features that are commonly seen in melanoma. It focusses on the patterns and structures encountered in melanoma. Most melanomas will reveal at least one of ten melanoma- specific structures. Throughout this module, each of these ten melanoma-specific structures are discussed in detail including numerous dermoscopic images to demonstrate learning. Various dermoscopic tools are discussed. Eight management rules to assist with the detection of melanoma are outlined.

Prof Giuseppe Argenziano
MD PhD

Professor and Head of the Dermatology Unit, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy

Giuseppe Argenziano is Professor and Head of the Dermatology Unit at the University of Campania, Naples, Italy; Co-founder and past president of the International Dermoscopy Society; and Editor-in-Chief of Dermatology Practical and Conceptual Journal.

His main research field is dermato-oncology, authoring numerous scientific articles and books concerning dermoscopy, melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. As coordinator of the Melanoma Unit at the Campania University, he has established a successful tertiary, multidisciplinary, referral center particularly devoted to the diagnosis and management of patients with melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer.

Over the past 25 years, Prof Argenziano has supervised over 500 foreign and Italian residents in dermatology, established scientific collaborations with 1500+ colleagues from more than 50 nations, and organised more than 500 national and international didactic meetings, courses and conferences (such as the Consensus Net Meeting on Dermoscopy and the First Congress of the International Dermoscopy Society).

Professor Argenziano has authored more than 650 full scientific articles and produced landmark primary publications and books in the field of melanoma and dermoscopy. Over the past 25 years he has been invited as speaker and/or chairman in more than 500 national and international conferences in the field of dermatology. His combined publications have received a sum total of 15.250+ citations with an h-index value of 61 (Scopus 2020).

Prof Rainer Hofmann-Wellenhof
MD

Professor of Dermatology, Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Head of Research Unit, Medical University of Graz, Austria

Professor Rainer Hofmann-Wellenhof is Professor of Dermatology in the Department of Dermatology at the Medical University of Graz, Austria. He has been a dermato-oncologist for 10 years and has a special interest in pigmented skin lesions, dermoscopy and skin culturing. Rainer is also Director of the Pigmented Skin Lesion Clinic at the Department of Dermatology in Graz.

Prof Harald Kittler

Professor at the Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria

Professor Harald Kittler has a special clinical interest in dermoscopy of pigmented skin lesions. His main research interest is digital dermoscopy, follow-up of pigmented skin lesions, and computer assisted digital dermoscopy. Harald has been working for 10 years in the ﬁeld of dermoscopy and has published a number of scientiﬁc articles especially in the ﬁeld of digital dermoscopy and dermoscopic follow-up of melanocytic nevi.

Prof Ashfaq A. Marghoob
MD

Attending Physician, Dermatology Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Skin Cancer Center, New York, USA

Professor Ashfaq A. Marghoob is a board-certified dermatologist specialising in the diagnosis and treatment of cancers of the skin. He is the director of Memorial Sloan Kettering’s regional skin cancer clinic in Long Island and consults and treats patients in the centre’s outpatient facility in Manhattan.

Although providing the best care possible for his patients remains his primary goal, Ashfaq also remains committed to education and clinical research, with the hope of educating physicians and the public about the importance of early skin cancer detection to save lives.

He is active in clinical research and has published numerous papers on topics related to skin cancer with an emphasis on melanoma, atypical/dysplastic nevi, and congenital melanocytic nevi. Ashfaq’s research interests are focused on the use of imaging instruments such as photography, dermoscopy, and confocal laser microscopy to recognise skin cancer early in its development.

Prof Cliff Rosendahl
MBBS PhD

Professor and Course Coordinator MMed (Skin Cancer) Program School of Medicine, The University of Queensland

Professor Cliff Rosendahl currently works in Brisbane as a primary care practitioner with a special interest in skin cancer. He also has an interest in research as the clinical developer and Director of the Skin Cancer Audit Research Database (SCARD). His other main area of research has been in evaluating dermatoscopic clues for the diagnosis of both pigmented and non-pigmented skin malignancy in collaboration with colleagues at The University of Queensland, Australia and the Medical University of Vienna, Austria.

Prof Masaru Tanaka
MD PhD

Professor of Dermatology, Tokyo Women's Medical University Medical Center East, Japan

Professor Masaru Tanaka graduated in 1984 at the Keio University School of Medicine, in Tokyo, Japan. He became a board-certified dermatologist in 1989 and obtained a degree in Medical Science in 1992. He studied image analysis at the Department of Dermatology, University of Wales College of Medicine, in the UK for two years. Masaru was the Congress Secretary of the 100th Japanese Dermatological Association in Tokyo in April 2001. He is now a Professor of Dermatology at the Department of Dermatology, Tokyo Women's Medical University Medical Center East, Japan. His main research fields include the bullous disorders, contact dermatitis, dermatopathology, image analysis and dermoscopy.

A/Prof Iris Zalaudek

MD PhD

Head of the Dermatology Clinic of the University of Trieste, Italy

Associate Professor Iris Zalaudek is a board-certiﬁed dermatologist and Head of the Dermatology Clinic of the University of Trieste, Italy. Since 2016, she has been President of the International Dermoscopy Society, and was previously the Research Director of the Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Unit at the Medical University of Graz, Austria.

Her main research ﬁelds are related to dermato-oncology and include non-invasive skin imaging techniques, as well as topical and systemic treatment of skin cancer. Moreover, she is engaged in the development of modern teaching methods such as online distant courses and tele-dermatologic services. She is Director of the Master of Science program entitled "Dermoscopy and Preventive Dermato-Oncology" of the Medical University of Graz, Austria.

Iris has published more than 450 articles, of which 358 (267 full papers) have been cited in PubMed. Her combined publications have received an impact factor of 1003 and a h-index value of 36 (by April 2017). In 2003 her work was awarded by the Hans-Weitgasser Price from the Styrian Association of Dermatologists and in 2008 she was awarded the Best Researcher of the Medical University of Graz, Austria.

Professional Certificate of Dermoscopy

$1995

Meets the 50hr annual CPD requirement*
100% online
Flexible start and completion time

ENROL NOW

An excellent course introduction to dermoscopy and relating what you see to the histopathology and applying this in clinical practice. Great lectures and supporting materials.

Dr S. Jan

Excellent! This is a great course that has helped me diagnose many more subtle, early skin cancers especially melanoma in situ. The course was clearly presented, with good pictures and course book. All HealthCert's skin cancer courses have been hugely valuable to my practice!

Dr R. Mundell

I highly recommend this course. I increased my knowledge and developed confidence in using dermoscopy and in diagnosing melanoma and other skin lesions. Every skin lesion I see means so much more now that it has a name. Great involvement from various skin cancer experts and great videos and reference materials.

Dr P. Ishri

I would recommend the Professional Certificate of Dermoscopy as an important addition to self-directed learning in dermatoscopy. It was a invaluable course to gain the diagnostic tools, knowledge and confidence in managing skin cancer. The course was professionally conducted with excellent presentations.

Dr L. Suntesic

I really enjoyed the level of learning. It is very rewarding to know that I am potentially saving lives. Recently I volunteered with the Lions Cancer Institute for two days, and we screened 158 patients, detected 38 possible melanomas and 83 keratinocyte skin cancers. It was a very successful and rewarding two days, and something I could do confidently because of my learning from this course.

Dr K. Laverty

RACGP Activity Number	ACRRM Activity Number	Activity Title	Education Hours	Performance Hours	Outcome Hours	Total Hours
403783	28433	Acral lesions	403783	28433	3.5	6	0	9.5
403786	28434	Melanoma	403786	28434	4.5	6	0	10.5
403766	28428	The Chaos and Clues method	403766	28428	4.5	6	0	10.5
403764	28427	Algorithms and the elephant approach	403764	28427	4	6	0	10
403772	28430	Malignant non-melanocytic lesions commonly seen in the practice	403772	28430	4	6.5	0	10.5
403778	28432	Facial lesions	403778	28432	4.5	6.5	0	11
403769	28429	Benign non-melanocytic lesions commonly seen in the practice	403769	28429	3.5	5.5	0	9
403775	28431	Melanocytic nevi	403775	28431	4	5.5	0	9.5
800429	32973	Acral Lesions Outcome Improvement Activity	800429	32973	0	0	8.5	8.5
					Grand Total	89

Outcome measurement activities are not a requirement of our professional and advanced certificates. You may use an optional HealthCert outcome measurement activity or develop your own.

HealthCert provides several options to meet your outcome measurement hours requirement. These options are self-submitted activities and hours may vary depending on your focus area.

Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) options on a specific topic.
Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) on your identified area. A generic template is provided.
Outcome Improvement Activity relating to specific topics within the course.

The purpose of outcome measurement activities is to improve your clinical confidence in managing an identified learning gap. The outcome improvement activities are designed to examine current clinical care, align clinical practice with best practice standards and identify opportunities for improvement.

Entry requirements

The Professional Certificate of Dermoscopy is suitable for medical professionals who are interested in primary care dermoscopy for the management of skin conditions commonly seen in day-to-day general practice. The course is suitable for medical doctors and the degree-qualified nurses and dermal therapists who work under their supervision, other degree-qualified health professionals with an interest in skin, as well as for International Medical Graduates. There are no prerequisites for this course.

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.

Participants will require access to a computer/laptop, an internet connection and a basic level of technology proficiency to access and navigate the online learning portal.

Recognised prior learning (RPL)

Doctors who have completed the UQ Certificate of Advanced Dermatoscopy and Histopathology or other formal dermoscopy training can receive academic credit towards the Professional Diploma (the final course in the three-part program) if they achieve a pass mark in the exams of the first two certificate courses: the Professional Certificate of Dermoscopy and the Advanced Certificate of Dermoscopy. Upon successful exam completion doctors can directly progress to (and will only need to pay for) the Professional Diploma of Dermoscopy course.

NOTE: While the Professional Certificate of Skin Cancer Medicine course covers Dermoscopy, it does not qualify for RPL in the Certificate and Professional Diploma of Dermoscopy program which quickly moves on to more advanced dermoscopy techniques, including the Chaos and Clues method and the assessment of lesions on the face and acral sites. Professional Certificate of Skin Cancer Medicine alumni should begin with the Professional Certificate of Dermoscopy course.

Further professionally recognised qualifications and prior studies may be recognised for entry into this course if the learning outcomes match exactly. Please ask a HealthCert Education Advisor for an individual assessment of your prior qualifications and experience.

Certification

This certificate course meets the minimum 50 hours CPD annual requirement across all three mandatory CPD activity types, provided an outcome measurement activity with a minimum of five hours is completed. You may use an optional HealthCert outcome measurement activity or develop your own.

Outcome measurement activities are not a requirement of Professional or Advanced Certificates.

Upon successful completion of the course requirements, course participants will receive the certificate of the Professional Certificate of Dermoscopy.

This certificate course:

Is recognised by the International Dermoscopy Society. Membership is worldwide and more than 100 countries are represented.
Qualifies for CPD hours from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).
Qualifies for CPD hours from the Australian College 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 hours 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. Contact mainprocredits@cfpc.ca for more information.
Meets World Federation of Medical Education standards.
Has been collaboratively designed with, and reviewed by, Professor Giuseppe Argenziano, Head of the Dermatology Unit, Second University of Naples in Italy, and a prolific author in this field.
Has been independently developed with subject experts and does not receive education grants from any pharmaceutical company.

Australia-based course participants, please note that HealthCert certificates are not accredited by TEQSA or ASQA and do not fall within the Australian Qualification Framework. All HealthCert certificates are professional development awards, accredited by RACGP, ACRRM and RNZCGP.

To learn more about the delivery of certificates in Australia and overseas, please visit our FAQs.

Pathways

Professional Diploma Pathway

This course is the first stage of the three-part professional diploma pathway. The full pathway is Professional Certificate of Dermoscopy, Advanced Certificate of Dermoscopy, and Professional Diploma of Dermoscopy.

RPL with The University of Queensland

The University of Queensland Master of Medicine (Skin Cancer) includes the unit IMED7002: Clinical and Dermatoscopic Diagnosis in Skin Cancer Practice. Credit precedence has been established for this subject if students have completed all three of the following HealthCert dermoscopy qualifications: Professional Certificate of Dermoscopy, Advanced Certificate of Dermoscopy and Professional Diploma of Dermoscopy to the unit IMED7002. Doctors who have applied and been accepted into the Master of Medicine (Skin Cancer) program may apply for Recognition of Prior Learning for IMED7002. View The University of Queensland's Master of Medicine (Skin Cancer) program here.

HealthCert Clinical Attachments

Course participants who successfully complete the HealthCert Professional Certificate of Skin Cancer Medicine may continue their professional development by completing a HealthCert Clinical Attachment at a clinic or university teaching hospital to further develop professional knowledge. A HealthCert Australian Clinical Attachment is recommended as the first clinical attachment after completing the HealthCert dermoscopy qualifications and a HealthCert International Clinical Attachment is recommended for subsequent clinical attachments.

What are the costs and payment options of the course?

Fees will vary based on the program and study option selected (fully online vs online + optional practical workshop). Payments can be made upfront or in monthly instalments. Special rates and various payment options are available. GP registrars and doctors in training enjoy a scholarship of up to $500. Talk to us to learn more.

What is the Alumni Support Program?

Completion of any HealthCert course or attendance at an event will enable you to access the HealthCert Alumni Program which includes:

Access to special alumni rates for new courses when they are released.
Special alumni price for HealthCert Conferences.
Exclusive advanced access to HealthCert events.
Regular Alumni Webinars pertaining to the course(s) you have attended. These will provide content review of the course and an opportunity to discuss case studies.
Access to the video lectures as seen during the course(s) that you have attended.

How will I receive my certificate?

HealthCert Education is pleased to issue digital credentials for alumni. Digital credentials are a permanent online record of your successful completion of a HealthCert course and are issued to all course participants in addition to PDF certificates. If you are based in Australia, you also have the option to order a hard copy of your digital certificate for a small additional fee.

How long will the course take to complete?

The recommended study duration of this certificate course is 80.5 hours, which includes study of the pre-course activities and readings, online lectures, live tutorials, and online assessment. This self-paced course offers the flexibility of 100% online study in your own time, at your own pace, in your own home or office, with no mandatory face-to-face requirements. You are not required to be online at specific times but can view and replay video lectures at your convenience.

Is this course recognised in my country?

All HealthCert courses meet World Federation of Medical Education standards. This certificate course qualifies for CPD hours from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) in Australia. It is recognised by the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP) in New Zealand. It is recognised by the Hong Kong College of Family Physicians (HKCFP) in China. It is a self-submitted activity in Dubai and the United Kingdom. It is a self-submitted activity through the College of Family Physicians in Canada. If you live or work outside one of the above-mentioned countries, please contact us on admin@healthcert.com to discuss whether this course can be recognised in your country.