UK 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 aimed at UK-based General Practitioners wishing to gain experience in dermatology. Full registration with the GMC is essential. Applicants must have been resident in the UK for at least 3 years and have indefinite leave to remain.

Key Features

  • 7 Clinical Days with clinical cases, throughout the course of one year
  • Small group consultant-led teaching
  • Weekly audiovisual material to demonstrate cases and good practice

Course Content

There are 5 modules of 6 weeks in duration covering core dermatological curriculum. Each of these modules have 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 by a blended package of distance-learning and clinical study days.

1. WebCT teaching package

This interactive learning environment provides the core modules. They comprise:

  • 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, 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.

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.

Subjects covered 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

3. Clinical Days

There are 7 clinical days throughout the year. These comprise lectures and practical demonstrations with student interaction in the morning, followed by consultant-led small group teaching on clinical cases.

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
The dissertation forms a core module of the course. It comprises of 5000 - 8000 words on either a subject chosen from the prescribed list or may take the form of clinical cases followed by a discussion. The dissertation accounts for 40% of the overall course mark

Final Examination
A 3 hour final written examination must be passed at the end of the course and accounts of 60% of the overall course mark. 

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.