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.

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 in 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 - A/Prof Iris Zalaudek

In this module, you will learn how to assess pink lesions including melanocytic and non-melanocytic skin tumours based on the recognition of specific vascular structures, their arrangement and specific clues. In addition, established management rules will be discussed that aid to avoid missing amelanotic melanoma.

Module 2: Mucosal lesions - A/Prof Andreas Blum

In this module, you will learn the dermoscopic patterns of the most frequent lesions of the mucosa. Practical tips will be presented for using the dermoscope at the mucosal area and how to differentiate benign and malignant lesions.

Module 3: Difficult benign lesions - A/Prof Caterina Longo

In this module, you will learn the morphologic variability of naevi with special features and the diagnostic clues that aid to distinguish them from malignancy.

Module 4: Nail lesions - Prof Luc Thomas

In this module, you will learn the clinical and dermoscopic clues to help diagnose melanonychia striata and to better select patients to be submitted to biopsy. You will also learn the per-operative dermoscopic features of nail unit lentigo, nevu and melanoma. Clinical and dermoscopical features of nail unit unpigmented tumours will also be reviewed.

Module 5: Rare skin tumours - Dr Elvira Moscarella

In this module, you will learn dermoscopy features of pigmented and non-pigmented variants of uncommon skin tumours. You will learn to identify dermatoscopic clues helpful to diagnose rare skin cancer, with special emphasis on those tumours that are associated with complex syndromes.

Module 6: BCC and keratinocyte skin cancer - Prof Harald Kittler

In this module, you will learn to characterise patterns of pigmented and non-pigmented variants of epithelial skin cancer. You will learn to identify common and uncommon dermatoscopic clues to diagnose all variants of epithelial skin cancer with confidence.

Module 7: Difficult melanomas - Prof Ashfaq A. Marghoob

In this module, you will learn the dermoscopic clues to help diagnose melanomas that often prove challenging to recognise clinically.  The use of dermoscopy has allowed for the improved recognition of nodular melanoma, desmoplastic melanoma, amelanotic melanoma, epidermotropic metastatic melanomas, melanoma on sun damaged skin, nevoid melanoma, verrucous melanoma, among others. The dermoscopic features to help in the recognition of the aforementioned melanomas will be expanded upon in this module.  

Module 8: Dermoscopy in general dermatology - Dr Aimilios Lallas

In this module, you will learn the dermoscopic patterns of the most frequent inflammatory and infectious skin diseases and also practical tips on how dermoscopy can help differentiate among them.

IMPORTANT DATES

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COURSE FEES AND PAYMENT OPTIONS

UPFRONT PAYMENT

Single course

$1,795

Two-Course Bundle*

$3,410

Three-Course Bundle*

$4,840
*Special rates for upfront registrations for multiple courses within the same pathway.
DEFERRED PAYMENT

Single course 

$640 x 3 

Two-Course Bundle

$605 x 6

Three-Course Bundle

$645 x 8 
 Defer your payments over several months.

LEARN MORE ABOUT AVAILABLE PAYMENT OPTIONS

GP REGISTRARS: Doctors in training receive a HealthCert Scholarship and save up to $350 on online certificate courses and up to $500 on certificate courses that include a practical workshop. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with the Early Bird special.

Meet Your Instructors

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. Your instructors are pioneers in the field of dermoscopy and have developed the methods and approaches which have become the education standards in all dermoscopy training programs worldwide. By sharing their first-hand knowledge, they collectively deliver the most comprehensive dermoscopy training. Led by the renowned Professor Giuseppe Argenziano, the team includes highly sub-specialised skin cancer experts from Italy, Austria, Greece, USA, Japan, and Australia.
Prof Ashfaq A Marghoob

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 Harald Kittler

Prof Harald Kittler

MD

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 Luc Thomas

Prof Luc Thomas

MD, PhD

Professor and Chairman Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Lyon, France

Professor Luc Thomas was board-certified in dermatology in 1989 at Lyon 1 University. He was trained as a post-doctoral fellow at Harvard Medical School in 1990 and 1991, and obtained his PhD degree at Lyon 1 University in 1993. He became full professor of dermatology in 1996, first class professor in dermatology in 2009, and Chairman of the Department of Dermatology of Lyon 1 University - Centre Hospitalier Lyon Sud in 2003. He obtained his Board certification in Clinical Oncology in 2013.

Luc’s main research fields include skin oncology, early diagnosis of melanoma, dermoscopy, skin surgery and nail diseases. He has published more than 400 peer-reviewed scientific articles in international journals, is the co-editor of four books published in several languages and co-author of more than 25 books. He has lectured at many international meetings, is an associate editor of Dermatology, a member of the board of the International Dermoscopy Society, a past member of the board and treasurer of the French Society of Dermatology from 2000 to 2003, and treasurer of the World Congress of Dermatology in Paris in 2002.

A/Prof Andreas Blum

A/Prof Andreas Blum

MD PhD MSc (DermPrevOncol)

Public, Private and Teaching Practice, Konstanz, Germany

Associate Professor at the University of Tübingen, Germany

Associate Professor Andreas Blum studied medicine in Germany and France and received his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1993. From 1993 until 2004, he worked in the Department of Dermatology at the University of Tübingen in Germany. In 1998 he finished the specialisation in Dermatology and Venereology. Since 2002 he has been a senior lecture and assistant professor and, since 2006, has been an associate professor at the University of Tübingen. Since 2004 he has worked in his private and teaching practice in Konstanz, Germany.

Andreas is an expert in the diagnosis, surgical treatment, prevention and follow-up of skin cancers. In addition to his clinical research mainly in the field of dermoscopy, he gives regular lectures for national and international dermatological societies.

A/Prof Caterina Longo

A/Prof Caterina Longo

MD PhD

Scientific Coordinator, Skin Cancer Unit, ASMN-IRCCS, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy

Associate Professor Caterina Longo is a board-certified dermatologist specialising in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancers. Although providing the best care possible for patients remains her primary goal, she also committed to education and clinical research. She is actively involved in clinical research and has published numerous papers on topics related to skin cancer with an emphasis on melanoma, atypical nevi, Spitz/Reed nevi and non-melanoma skin cancer.

Caterina’s research interests are focused on the use of imaging instruments such as dermoscopy and confocal laser microscopy to recognise skin cancer early in its development. She pioneered the use of ex vivo fluorescence confocal microscopy for micrographic Mohs surgery applied for basal cell carcinoma and other visceral tumours. Caterina lectures on these topics both nationally and internationally.

Dr Iris Zalaudek

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.

Dr Aimilios Lallas

Dr Aimilios Lallas

MD PhD MSc

Dermatologist-Venereologist, First Department Of Dermatology, Aristotle University, Greece

Dr Aimilios Lallas is a Board-Certified Dermatologist-Venereologist. He is currently occupied at the First Department of Dermatology of the Faculty of Medicine of Aristotle University in Thessaloniki, Greece. Aimilios specialises in skin cancer diagnosis with non-invasive techniques, as well as in the management of skin cancer patients. He possesses a PhD diploma on skin cancer prevention.

Aimilios’ main fields of research interests are in the dermoscopy of skin tumours, the application of the method in general dermatology, and the improvement of the management of oncologic patients. He is co-author of approximately 190 scientific papers, editor of four books and author of several chapters on dermoscopy.

Aimilios is currently the General Secretary of the International Dermoscopy Society and the General Secretary of the 5th World Congress of Dermoscopy, which will be held in Thessaloniki, Greece on 14-16 June 2018.

Dr Elvira Moscarella

Dr Elvira Moscarella

MD

Dermatologist, Santa Maria Nuova Hospital, Reggio Emilia, Italy

Dr Elvira Moscarella is a dermatologist at the Santa Maria Nuova Hospital in Reggio Emilia, Italy. She acquired her medical degree in 2005 at the Second University of Naples before completing her residency in dermatology and venereology at the University’s Department of Dermatology. In 2008, Elvira undertook further education in dermoscopy and confocal microscopy. She is a member of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology and the International Dermoscopy Society, and is Editor in Chief of the latter’s newsletter and case of the month. Elvira’s main interests are in dermoscopy and reflectance confocal microscopy, and their use in skin cancer medicine.

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 start of a cohort. 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 start of a cohort.

Certification and Accreditation

Advanced Certificate of Dermoscopy

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.

RACGP CPD Accredited Activity 40 Points
ACRRM

      - 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 Professional Diploma of Dermoscopy is guaranteed for RPL for the unit IMED7003, part of the Graduate Certificate of Medicine (Skin Cancer) which is the first step in the Master of Medicine (Skin Cancer) at The University of Queensland. There are no further requirements for this RPL, it is automatic and guaranteed and provides a saving on fees. 

View The University of Queensland, 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.
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