Advanced Certificate of Dermoscopy

COURSE OVERVIEW

The Advanced Certificate of Dermoscopy is the second course in the three-part HealthCert Certificate and Diploma program in Dermoscopy. The course has been designed to meet the needs of medical practitioners who already use dermoscopy and are interested in taking their skill-set to a more advanced level. The course will provide the participants with a range of knowledge in the management of nail lesions, mucosal lesions, difficult benign lesions and melanomas, pink tumours, rare skin tumours, and the broad spectrum of BCC and keratinocyte skin cancer. Recognised and developed by members of the International Dermoscopy Society, no other program brings together such a diverse and accomplished team of globally renowned dermatologists and dermoscopy experts from Italy, Austria, Greece, USA, Japan, and Australia.

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

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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS AND COURSE REQUISITES

The Advanced Certificate of Dermoscopy will meet the needs of medical professionals who already use dermoscopy in their practice and are interested in taking their skillset to a more advanced level. Participants will acquire in-depth knowledge in lesion management, including difficult and rare lesions, with teachings by an accomplished team of dermatologists and dermoscopy experts. The course is suitable for medical doctors and the degree-qualified nurses who work under their supervision, other degree-qualified health professionals with an interest in skin, as well as for International Medical Graduates. 

Participants must have successfully completed the HealthCert Professional Certificate of Dermoscopy course (or a qualification deemed equivalent) and HealthCert also highly recommends successful completion of at least 25 cases of dermoscopy prior to enrolment. Equivalent alternatives include: practical experience, other qualifications or successful completion of the Professional Certificate examination.

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.

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 Dermoscopy. 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.

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 Professional Certificate of Dermoscopy and 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 recognition of prior learning 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.

COURSE CONTENTS

The Advanced Certificate course will provide the participants with a range of knowledge including:

• Pink tumours
  
• Mucosal lesions
  
• Difficult benign lesions
  
• Nail lesions
  
• Rare skin tumours
  
• BCC and keratinocyte skin cancer
  
• Difficult melanomas
  
• Dermoscopy in general dermatology

Course participants will:

• Utilise Interactive Atlas international dermoscopy program
• Utilise YouDermoscopy application (app)
• Participate in webinars with experts and professional colleagues
• Observe professional clinic/patient interactions via video
• Evaluate dermoscopy cases in an online discussion board
• 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

Course OUTLINE

Module 1: Pink tumours

This module focuses on the general aspects of the dermoscopic examination of pink tumours. It explains the patterns associated with melanocytic and non-melanocytic skins tumours in detail. This module also explains the contact and non-contact dermoscopy methods used when examining skin tumours. Dermoscopic images are used throughout the presentation to identify if the pink tumours are benign or suspicious based on vascular structures, arrangements, and clues. The module concludes with management rules to follow in order not to miss amelanotic melanoma.

Module 2: Mucosal lesions

This module introduces the basics of mucosal areas including tissue structure and then discusses a variety of mucosal lesions. It explains the clues to use during the clinical and dermoscopic examination together with supporting images. The module then focuses on dermoscopic features of malignant mucosal lesions that are best to be diagnosed in the early stages. It also explains the dermoscopic features of a benign mucosal lesion to avoid any unnecessary excisions. Dermoscopic images are used to evaluate the dermoscopic patterns of mucosal lesions and to identify if a lesion is benign or malignant.

Module 3: Difficult benign lesions including nevi with special features

This module discusses the use of dermoscopic clues and features in diagnosing benign lesions that are often challenging to recognise. The module explains these clues and features in detail including imaging, to improve the recognition of melanocytic and non-melanocytic benign tumours that might stimulate melanoma. The module also outlines the four main simulator scenarios; melanoma-like nevi, melanoma-like seborrheic keratosis, spitzoid-looking lesions, and nevi with special features.

Module 4: Nail lesions

This module focuses on the diagnosis of nail pigmentation with dermoscopy. Dermoscopic images of nail pigmentation are used throughout the presentation to establish differential diagnoses between melanoma and other conditions. The module explains the use of dermoscopic clues, patterns and clinical algorithms to diagnose melanonychia striata longitudinal and to determine if a biopsy is needed. The module also discusses the importance of diagnosing the conditions in the early stages and providing conservative treatment to reduce the likelihood of disability.

Module 5: Rare skin tumours

This module focuses on dermatoscopic clues whilst diagnosing and managing rare, complex syndrome skin tumours. A multidisciplinary approach is the key to managing, diagnosing and treating a rare skin tumour. The module discussed the various types of rare skin tumours such as tumours of fibrous tissue, Merkel cell carcinoma, angiosarcoma, adnexal tumours and sebaceous tumours with the help of dermoscopic images. The module also explains in detail, the dermoscopic clues, patterns, and management of each of these rare skin tumours.

Module 6: The broad spectrum of BCC and keratinocyte skin cancer

This module discusses the broad spectrum of BCC and keratinocyte skin cancer such as actinic keratosis, Bowen’s disease, intraepithelial carcinoma as well as keratoacanthoma and invasive SCC. The module explains the dermoscopic clues, clichés and common pitfalls whilst diagnosing a BCC. It also talks about the rare and important subtypes of BCC. Extensive images and examples are provided to identify the different types of skin cancer.

Module 7: Difficult melanomas

This module talks about the dermoscopic clues used to identify melanomas that are difficult to diagnose clinically because of their morphology. It highlights the use of dermoscopy to improve the pattern recognition of various types of melanomas including nodular, desmoplastic, amelanotic, epidermotropic metastatic, nevoid, verrucous and melanomas on sun-damaged skin. The dermoscopic images, features and methods to safely deal with these melanomas are discussed in detail throughout this module.

Module 8: Dermoscopy in general dermatology

This module focuses on the significance of integrating dermoscopy in the basic practice of general dermatology. In this module, common dermatological conditions including psoriasis, dermatitis, lichen planus, pityriasis rosacea, acne, dermatitis or fungoides are discussed in detail. It also explains using clinical examinations, laboratory investigations and imaging examinations to achieve an accurate diagnosis. There are parameters and criteria such as vessels morphology, vessel distribution, scale colour, scale distribution, follicular disturbances and specific clues that need to be evaluated before reaching a diagnosis. Dermoscopic images are used throughout the presentation to discuss these parameters and to assist in differentiating between inflammatory and infectious skin diseases.

SPECIAL RATES AND PAYMENT OPTIONS

COURSE DELIVERY

The Advanced Certificate of Dermoscopy is designed as a fully online course. 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 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.

There are eight units in a HealthCert Advanced Certificate program. The course is delivered over 15 weeks with 12 weeks of online teaching (video lectures, case discussion boards, webinars) and three weeks of revision and examination.

The course includes:

• All presentation slides available for download.
• 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-month web-based support with the opportunity to ask the instructors questions while you implement your learning.

ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS

In order for you to pass the assessment and progress to the next course, you must complete the exams within the allocated period. Exam extensions are available on a case by case basis. 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

• 104 knowledge questions based on a scenario of a medical practitioner undertaking special interest training.
  • 13 per module
    Example: The medical practitioner believes that 10% of the population … Is he correct?  Yes/No

• 104 authentic questions based on patient case scenarios at a clinic.
  • 13 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

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

      - PDP units: 32 Educational activity, 16 Performance review
     - MOPs points: 16

This certificate course:

• 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 recognised by the Skin Cancer Institute and may be used as part of an application for Membership or Fellowship.
• Has been collaboratively designed with, and reviewed by, Professor Giuseppe Argenziano, Head of the Dermatology Unit, Second University of Naples, Italy, and a prolific author of scientific articles.
• Is recognised by the International Dermoscopy Society. Membership is worldwide and more than 100 countries are represented.
• Gives graduates of the three-part Professional Diploma program a significant financial credit towards the Master of Science in Dermoscopy and Preventitive Dermato-Oncology program at the Medical University of Graz.
• Has been independently developed with subject specialists and does not receive education grants from any pharmaceutical company.

Education PATHWAYS

PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA PATHWAY

The full pathway is Professional Certificate of Dermoscopy, Advanced Certificate of Dermoscopy, Professional Diploma of Dermoscopy.

It is recommended that this qualification be used as part of an application for Membership or Fellowship with the Skin Cancer Institute.

POSTGRADUATE PATHWAYS

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.

Financial credit towards Master degree at University of Graz

Upon completion of the Professional Diploma of Dermoscopy, graduates can continue their studies towards the Master of Science in Dermoscopy and Preventitive Dermato-Oncology at the Medical University of Graz at a significantly discounted rate. The program guides participants through three different education levels: Basic Dermoscopy, Academic Expert in Dermoscopy and Master of Dermoscopy and Preventitive Dermato-Oncology. For more information, please click here or contact Andrea Hofmann at iscd@medunigraz.at. ‎

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 specialist 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.