General Dermatology

This general dermatology course focuses on common benign lesions, pigmentary conditions and cutaneous infections. The first section focuses on common benign conditions including epidermal, melanocytic, vascular lesions, soft tissue and neural lesions, cysts, chondrodermatitis nodularis helicis and sebaceous hyperplasia. The module then focuses on pigmentary conditions. It outlines the diagnosis, investigations and management of pityriasis alba, pityriasis versicolor, idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis, vitiligo and melasma. The third section discusses cutaneous infections including staphylococcal and streptococcal, malassezia and corynebacterium, and then viral warts and scabies. Each category is discussed in detail and clinical images are used to identify differential diagnosis and management of these lesions.  

This module focuses on facial rashes, systemic diseases and fungal infections. The first section focuses on identifying the different types and causes of facial rashes, including seborrhea, rosacea, atopic dermatitis and contact dermatitis. It also explains the four subtypes of rosacea and outlines treatment options. The next topic focuses on detecting cutaneous clues for the diagnosis of systemic diseases including recognizing skin findings to distinguish between different types of neurocutaneous diseases. The eight most common systemic diseases are discussed including dermatomyositis, lupus, sarcoidosis, scleroderma, neurofibromatosis, tuberous sclerosis, Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma and pyoderma gangrenosum. The module concludes with separating cutaneous fungal infections from other skin diseases and infections. It explains the use of KOH preparation with fungal stain and microscopy to identify fungal infections and when to use oral antifungal medications rather than topical preparations. Clinical images are featured throughout the module.

This module focuses on the papulosquamous disorders of psoriasis, lichen planus and pityriasis rosea. The first section of the module focuses on identifying the different types of psoriasis and their distinguishing features. It also explains the nine categories of psoriasis, steps taken to make a diagnosis and outlines treatment options. The next topic focuses on recognising the different variations of lichen planus and pityriasis rosea. It explains the six Ps and skin variants of lichen planus, including selecting appropriate treatment options. The diagnosis, including when to biopsy, and the management of pityriasis rosea is outlined including treatment options. Clinical images are featured throughout the module.  

This module focuses on atopic dermatitis and acne relating to general dermatology. The module begins with an overview of atopic dermatitis and discusses the diagnosis of this condition from infancy to adulthood. It then explains the pathogenesis, complications and contributing factors of this disease. The module also outlines different treatment options, including bleach baths, wet wrap therapy, phototherapy and the use of systemic drugs. The second part of the module focuses on the causes and diagnosis of acne vulgaris. It also outlines tips to treat and help patients with acne. The module concludes with therapeutic recommendations for the treatment of acne. Clinical images and diagrams are used throughout the module to assist with learning. 

This general dermatology module focuses on dermatopathology, pruritus and contact dermatitis. The first section of this module focuses on dermatopathology. It outlines when and why to conduct a biopsy, including different biopsy methods and biopsy processing. It describes how to complete a pathology request form by providing essential information, including the site and method of biopsy, descriptive words describing distribution and morphology, and differential diagnosis. An overview of the pathological changes of skin and six tissue reaction patterns of inflammatory cells is discussed. The next section focuses on types of pruritus, including pruriceptive, neuropathic, neurogenic and psychogenic itch. It explains the initial and ongoing management of these conditions. The final section focuses on allergic versus irritant contact dermatitis. It outlines the different types of irritant contact dermatitis, the clinical features, pathology and ways to manage them. The module concludes with describing the clinical features of allergic contact dermatitis on various body parts, when to perform patch testing and management of this condition. Clinical images are featured throughout the module.

This module focuses on nail disorders and hair loss. The first section focuses on nail disorders and discusses the nail apparatus and onychomycosis of the nail, including dermatophytic and non-dermatophytic infections. It explains the predisposing factors and five clinical patterns of onychomycosis, including distal/lateral subungual, the superficial white, the proximal subungual, the endonyx and candidal onychomycosis. The main differential diagnosis, a step-by-step specimen collection, treatment options, preventive measures and complications are discussed in detail. The next section focuses on the dermatologic entities that induce hair loss. It briefly outlines the classifications and presentations of the most common non-cicatricial and cicatricial alopecia. Conditions include androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium and alopecia areata. Each category is discussed in detail and clinical images are used to identify differential diagnosis, work-up and management of these conditions.   

This module focuses on paediatric topics, follicular disorders and blistering disorders. The first section focuses on paediatric dermatology conditions including cutaneous mastocytosis, acrodermatitis enteropathica, Gianotti-Crosti syndrome, confluent and reticulated papillomatosis, 5th disease or erythema infectiosum, viral exanthems, drug rash, impetigo, infantile acropustulosis, erythema toxicum neonatorum, hand foot and mouth disease, scabies, linear epidermal nevus, nevus sebaceous and infantile hemangiomas. Each category is discussed in detail and clinical images are used to assist with the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions. The second section focuses on hair follicle disorders including superficial folliculitis, keratin disorders and deep folliculitis. The treatment of these conditions is discussed in detail. The last section focuses on a rare blistering disorder called vesicobullous disease that causes vesicles and bullae eruptions on the skin and mucosal surfaces. The five variants of the blistering disorder including clinical images are discussed in detail.    

This module focuses on reviewing ten case studies across various general dermatology conditions. Each case is supported by clinical images. History taking, identifying differential diagnosis, examination, investigations and management strategies are discussed in each of these case studies.    

The Professional Certificate of General Dermatology is tailored for general practitioner training and suitable for medical doctors, registered nurses, degree-qualified health professionals, pharmacists, and dermal therapists. The course assumes no prior knowledge or training in the field.

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.

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 Professional Certificate of General Dermatology and CPD hours.

Professional Diploma Pathway

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

Postgraduate Pathway with the University of Plymouth

This pathway is suitable for doctors who are mainly interested in clinical academic study. The Postgraduate Diploma in Dermatology is 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

Upon completion of the Professional Certificate of General Dermatology, participants can complete a Dermatology Clinical Attachment to increase the safety and accuracy of their work. Clinical Attachments in Dermatology are currently available at Darwin Dermatology and at the University of Vienna under the supervision of Professor Harald Kittler. 

Course graduates may also join the International Society of Dermatology (ISD).

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.

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.

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.

The recommended study duration of this certificate course is 81.5 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.

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.