147882 - Expert Certificate of Dermoscopy

This Expert Certificate of Dermoscopy is Module 1 of the two modules that combine for the Professional Diploma of Dermoscopy. Module 2 is the Clinical Audit: Dermoscopy. This course is designed to meet the needs of GPs wanting to acquire an advanced range of skills in dermoscopy and the diagnosis and management of skin cancer.

Relevance to General Practice

Every year, in Australia skin cancers account for around 80% of all newly diagnosed cancers. Between 95 and 99% of skin cancers are caused by exposure to the sun. GPs have over 1 million patient consultations per year for skin cancer. The incidence of skin cancer is one of the highest in the world, two to three times the rates in Canada, the US and the UK.Every year doctors remove around 720,000 lesions from the skins of Australians because they are suspected skin cancers.
The “Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Melanoma in Australia and New Zealand (November 2008)” recommendations include:
• Training and utilisation of dermoscopy for clinicians
• Biopsy; including optimal biopsy approach, interpretation of partial biopsies, Incisional, punch or shave biopsies
• Breslow thickness, margins of excision (microscopic), mitotic rate/mm, level of invasion (Clark), ulceration.

Learning outcomes

Develop a system-based approach to the correct steps for screening of young children.

Identify how dermoscopy is used for the diagnosis and management of skin lesions.

Critically examine dermoscopy issues, generate ideas and evaluate results.

Communicate and explain dermoscopy knowledge and ideas to different audiences.

Review, analyse and apply knowledge of dermoscopy to scenarios of practitioners and patients with problems that require dermoscopy.