Fundamentals of Dermatology

This intensive two-day course on the Fundamentals of Dermatology for Primary Care is highly relevant for healthcare professionals in primary care, especially those lacking dermatology in their post-registration training. The course offers an opportunity to advance in practice, gain relevant competencies, and enhance clinical confidence for improved patient care.

Understanding dermatology care is vital in general practice, given that 10-15% of the primary care workload involves dermatology. Common skin conditions have a significant psychological impact on patients. The course emphasizes the importance of proper skin assessment, accurate diagnosis, and effective patient self-management for better treatment outcomes.

- 09:15 AM: Coffee and registration

- 09:30 AM: Introduction and course objectives

- 09:40 AM: Anatomy and physiology of normal skin

- 10:00 AM: Pathophysiology of acne, eczema, and psoriasis - understanding skin changes

- 10:45 AM: Coffee break

- 11:00 AM: The language of dermatology - effective description

- 11:45 AM: Skin assessment and history-taking - recording observations

- 13:00 PM: Lunch break

- 13:45 PM: Recognizing skin changes: skin lesions and skin cancer - addressing concerns

- 14:00 PM: Hyper and hypo pigmentation - understanding variations

- 14:30 PM: Screening for skin cancer and promoting sun safety

- 15:00 PM: Dermatology resources and guidelines - accessing information

- 16:00 PM: Action plan, evaluation, and resources

- 16:15 PM: Close

- 09:15 AM: Welcome back and course work review

- 09:30 AM: Managing acne in primary care - practical applications and treatments

- 10:30 AM: Managing psoriasis in primary care - topical treatment and demonstrations

- 10:45 AM: Coffee break

- 11:00 AM: Managing eczema in primary care - practical challenges and solutions

- 11:45 AM: Understanding patient self-management and psycho-social aspects

- 12:30 PM: Lunch break

- 13:30 PM: Practical emollient workshop - exploring patient preferences

- 14:15 PM: Skin infections - recognition, diagnosis, and management

- 14:45 PM: Genital skin conditions - Update on lichen sclerosis recognition and treatment

- 15:30 PM: Practice reviews, competencies, and reflective discussion

- 16:15 PM: Close

To equip primary care healthcare professionals with evidence-based knowledge and practical confidence to elevate dermatology care, improve patient support for common skin conditions, and ensure appropriate secondary care referral.

- Develop a Strong Foundation: Understand skin anatomy and physiology for a comprehensive grasp of normal skin characteristics.

- Decipher Pathophysiology: Discern the intricacies of common dermatology conditions, such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis, understanding the underlying skin changes that drive these conditions.

- Master the Language of Dermatology: Gain proficiency in describing dermatological observations accurately, facilitating effective communication and reporting.

- Harness the Power of Assessment: Elevate skin assessment and history-taking skills, honing the ability to document observations and pertinent patient history with precision.

- Recognise Skin Changes: Sharpen the skill of identifying skin lesions and potential indicators of skin cancer, equipped with the expertise to navigate the "when to worry" challenge.

- Explore Pigmentation Variations: Delve into hyper and hypo pigmentation, understanding conditions like dermatosis papulosa nigra, sebaceous hyperplasia, solar lentigo, and freckles.

- Promote Sun Safety and Dermatology Education: Grasp strategies for skin cancer screening and sun safety healthcare education, contributing to proactive patient care.

- Navigate Dermatology Resources: Gain insight into valuable dermatology resources and guidelines, empowering continuous learning beyond the course.

- Enhance Practical Skills: Gain hands-on experience in managing common skin conditions like acne, psoriasis, and eczema using both over-the-counter and topical treatments.

- Empower Patient Support: Engage with patients to gain insights into their experiences of self-managing chronic skin conditions, focusing on psycho-social aspects and effective coping strategies.

- Immerse in Practical Emollient Workshop: Participate in a tactile workshop to understand patient preferences and choices in emollient usage.

- Refine Diagnostic Skills: Develop the ability to recognize, diagnose, and manage skin infections effectively, improving overall dermatological care.

- Master Genital Skin Conditions: Gain updated knowledge on recognising and treating genital skin conditions like lichen sclerosis, enhancing expertise in a specialized area.

- Reflect and Consolidate: Engage in reflective discussions, reviewing competencies gained during the course and integrating newfound insights.

Conclude the two-day course with a profound sense of accomplishment, armed with enriched dermatological knowledge, practical skills, and patient-centered strategies that will positively influence your professional practice.