Course Description:

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.

Introduction:

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.

Day One:

- 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

Day Two:

- 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

Course Aim:

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.

Learning Outcomes (Day 1):

- 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.

Learning Outcomes (Day 2):

- 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.

Course Conclusion:

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.