International Students Course content for the Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Dermatology

The course covers the core dermatological curriculum over a one year period, with particular emphasis on the diagnosis and management of skin disease from a primary care perspective.

This programme is designed specifically for doctors outside the UK, wishing to gain experience in dermatology. It is also open for applications from UK-based doctors unsuitable for the other programme.

Key Features

  • This programme can be studied anywhere. No travel to the UK is required
  • Regular small group tutorials, with live chat
  • Live interactive lectures
  • A discussion forum allows for discussion of cases and topics at your convenience
  • Weekly audiovisual material to demonstrate cases and good practice

Course Content

There are 3 terms, each 10 weeks in duration. Each of the weekly modules has been devised by one or more ‘module tutors’ with a particular interest in the topic being studied. The modules they have created all consist of written and audio material together with an assignment. Teaching is provided by an interactive web-based package. There are regular tutorials and discussion groups.

1. WebCT teaching package

This interactive learning environment provides weekly modules. It comprises:

  • Weekly written material about the subject complemented by clinical pictures
  • Slide library: an extensive collection of clinical photos with description
  • Supplementary Reading: a selection of 5 – 10 relevant journal articles per week, together with Patient Information Leaflets. These papers have been selected by the module tutor to supplement and reinforce the main messages of his/her audio discussion and are usually of a practical nature, although papers of a more basic scientific nature may also be incorporated.
  • Assignments: weekly formative assessments which will be completed and marked online. Assessments will comprise a mixture of EMQ and MCQ format.
  • Discussion Forum: this area of the site allows pictures and questions or messages to be posted for discussion within the group. The current students find this a useful way of interacting with other students.
  • Chat Rooms: for synchronised discussion with other course participants or tutors

2. Audio and visual podcasts

Each week there is audiovisual material. This covers the fundamental principles of the topic in a clinically relevant and informal manner. There are practical demonstrations.

3. Online tutorials

There will be regular live small group tutorials with a tutor. You will be informed of the cases for discussion one week before the tutorial. Each student will be offered a minimum of 6 tutorials during the course.

4. Live interactive lectures

There will be a selection of live lectures with discussion between the students and the tutor.

Practical sessions covered in the weekly audiovisual material include:

  • emollients, topical steroids, and other treatments for eczema
  • topical treatments for psoriasis
  • phototherapy
  • cryotherapy
  • patch and prick testing
  • Doppler testing and leg ulcer treatment including use of multi layer compression bandaging
  • minor surgery
  • taking skin and hair samples

Topics Covered in Term 1

  • How to Recognise and Investigate Skin Disease
  • How to Manage Skin Disease
  • Common Skin Infections
  • Red and Spotty Faces
  • Itchy Skin and Eczema
  • Allergies at Home and at Work
  • Psoriasis
  • Harmless Lumps and Bumps
  • Pigmented Lesions: the good and the bad
  • Cancerous Lumps and Bumps

Topics Covered in Term 2

  • Blistering Diseases
  • Other Inflammatory Skin Diseases including Lichen Planus
  • Urticaria
  • Drug Reactions
  • Rashes in Creases
  • Hair too much and too little
  • Body Parts connected to skin: Oral, Ocular and Aural
  • Genital Dermatology
  • The Psyche and the Skin
  • Special problems in Children

Topics Covered in Term 3

  • Dermatoses in Different Skin Types
  • Healing Wounds
  • Vasculitis and Vascular Lesions
  • Skin and Systemic Disease
  • Connective Tissue Diseases
  • Sunshine and Skin
  • Uncommon Infections
  • Surgical Solutions and Treatments
  • Cosmetic Dermatology and Non-Invasive Treatments

Assessment

Weekly assignment
MCQ style questions, based on clinical cases. The assignments are submitted on the webCT teaching package. 80% of these must be completed to pass the diploma

Dissertation
You will be expected to undertake a dissertation of approximately 5000 words on a clinical subject.

Final Examination
A 3 hour written paper based on clinical cases. This is sat at a local British Council Office.

Disclaimer
This programme is designed and intended for educational purposes only. Completion of the course and possession of the Diploma does not endorse the practitioner to consider themselves a specialist in dermatology. The current British Association of Dermatologists guidelines outline the essential requirements for fulfilling the role of GPwSI in Dermatology. The Department of Dermatology in Barts and the London NHS Trust strongly supports these guidelines.