Overview
Presented by noted dermatologists, the Professional Diploma of General Dermatology program will teach you how to manage all major dermatological conditions of the skin, hair and nails, as well as general disease states manifesting through the skin. You will learn how to make differential diagnoses, choose appropriate treatment options, and minimize unnecessary referrals to specialists.
Topic Covered
- Psoriasis, dermatitis & pruritus
- Skin infections, lymphomas & rashes
- Lichen planus & pityriasis rosea
- Hair loss & nail diseases
- Pigmentary conditions
- Paediatric dermatology
- Follicular & blistering disorders
- Acne, rosacea & seborrhea
- Fungal infections, hidradentis & vitiligo
- Bullous pemphigoid & dermatomyositis
- Patch testing, drug eruptions & wound care
- Bites, ulcers, urticaria & pressure sores
- Oral mucosal diseases, HIV & STIs
- Vulvar skin & pregnancy dermatoses
- Psychocutaneous disorders
Presented by noted dermatologists, this certificate course will provide you with knowledge about the modes of presentation, relevant investigations, and management of all common skin conditions - from acne, rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis through to drug rashes, hair loss, and common cosmetic complaints.
- Gain comprehensive knowledge on the diagnosis of various dermatological conditions.
- Learn to choose appropriate treatment options.
- This course is for medical doctors, International Medical Graduates, registered nurses, dermal therapists, pharmacists, and degree-qualified health professionals.
- CPD-accredited and university-assured.
Course Benefits
- Meet patient demand as 11.5 per cent of GP consults are for skin concerns.
- Move beyond six-minute medicine by expanding the service range in your practice.
- Manage more skin conditions in-house and reduce referrals.
- Diversify your practice and improve patient outcomes through timely diagnosis of dermatological conditions.
Get unlimited access to all course content, additional learning materials, ongoing post-course support, and more.
Course Contents
Common Benign Lesions, Pigmentary Conditions and Cutaneous Infections
This general dermatology course focuses on common benign lesions, pigmentary conditions and cutaneous infections. The first section focuses on common benign conditions including epidermal, melanocytic, vascular lesions, soft tissue and neural lesions, cysts, chondrodermatitis nodularis helicis and sebaceous hyperplasia. The course then focuses on pigmentary conditions. It outlines the diagnosis, investigations and management of pityriasis alba, pityriasis versicolor, idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis, vitiligo and melasma. The third section discusses cutaneous infections including staphylococcal and streptococcal, malassezia and corynebacterium, and then viral warts and scabies. Each category is discussed in detail and clinical images are used to identify differential diagnosis and management of these lesions.
Facial Rashes, Systemic Diseases and Fungal Infections
This general dermatology course focuses on facial rashes, systemic diseases and fungal infections. The first section focuses on identifying the different types and causes of facial rashes, including seborrhea, rosacea, atopic dermatitis and contact dermatitis. It also explains the four subtypes of rosacea and outlines treatment options. The next topic focuses on detecting cutaneous clues for the diagnosis of systemic diseases including recognizing skin findings to distinguish between different types of neurocutaneous diseases. The eight most common systemic diseases are discussed including dermatomyositis, lupus, sarcoidosis, scleroderma, neurofibromatosis, tuberous sclerosis, Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma and pyoderma gangrenosum. The course concludes with separating cutaneous fungal infections from other skin diseases and infections. It explains the use of KOH preparation with fungal stain and microscopy to identify fungal infections and when to use oral antifungal medications rather than topical preparations. Clinical images are featured throughout the course.
Papulosquamous Disorders: Psoriasis, Lichen Planus and Pityriasis Rosea
This general dermatology course focuses on the papulosquamous disorders of psoriasis, lichen planus and pityriasis rosea. The first section of the course focuses on identifying the different types of psoriasis and their distinguishing features. It also explains the nine categories of psoriasis, steps taken to make a diagnosis and outlines treatment options. The next topic focuses on recognizing the different variations of lichen planus and pityriasis rosea. It explains the six Ps and skin variants of lichen planus, including selecting appropriate treatment options. The diagnosis, including when to biopsy, and the management of pityriasis rosea is outlined including treatment options. Clinical images are featured throughout the course.
Atopic Dermatitis and Acne 1
This course focuses on atopic dermatitis and acne relating to general dermatology. The course begins with an overview of atopic dermatitis and discusses the diagnosis of this condition from infancy to adulthood. It then explains the pathogenesis, complications and contributing factors of this disease. The course also outlines different treatment options, including bleach baths, wet wrap therapy, phototherapy and the use of systemic drugs. The second part of the course focuses on the causes and diagnosis of acne vulgaris. It also outlines tips to treat and help patients with acne. The course concludes with therapeutic recommendations for the treatment of acne. Clinical images and diagrams are used throughout the course to assist with learning.
Dermatopathology, Pruritus and Contact Dermatitis
This general dermatology course focuses on dermatopathology, pruritus and contact dermatitis. The first section of this course focuses on dermatopathology. It outlines when and why to conduct a biopsy, including different biopsy methods and biopsy processing. It describes how to complete a pathology request form by providing essential information, including the site and method of biopsy, descriptive words describing distribution and morphology, and differential diagnosis. An overview of the pathological changes of skin and six tissue reaction patterns of inflammatory cells is discussed. The next section focuses on types of pruritus, including pruriceptive, neuropathic, neurogenic and psychogenic itch. It explains the initial and ongoing management of these conditions. The final section focuses on allergic versus irritant contact dermatitis. It outlines the different types of irritant contact dermatitis, the clinical features, pathology and ways to manage them. The course concludes with describing the clinical features of allergic contact dermatitis on various body parts, when to perform patch testing and management of this condition. Clinical images are featured throughout the course.
Nail Disorders and Hair Loss
This general dermatology course focuses on nail disorders and hair loss. The first section focuses on nail disorders and discusses the nail apparatus and onychomycosis of the nail, including dermatophytic and non-dermatophytic infections. It explains the predisposing factors and five clinical patterns of onychomycosis, including distal/lateral subungual, the superficial white, the proximal subungual, the endonyx and candidal onychomycosis. The main differential diagnosis, a step-by-step specimen collection, treatment options, preventive measures and complications are discussed in detail. The next section focuses on the dermatologic entities that induce hair loss. It briefly outlines the classifications and presentations of the most common non-cicatricial and cicatricial alopecia. Conditions include androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium and alopecia areata. Each category is discussed in detail and clinical images are used to identify differential diagnosis, work-up and management of these conditions.
Paediatric Topics, Follicular Disorders and Blistering Disorders
This general dermatology course focuses on paediatric topics, follicular disorders and blistering disorders. The first section focuses on paediatric dermatology conditions including cutaneous mastocytosis, acrodermatitis enteropathica, Gianotti-Crosti syndrome, confluent and reticulated papillomatosis, 5th disease or erythema infectiosum, viral exanthems, drug rash, impetigo, infantile acropustulosis, erythema toxicum neonatorum, hand foot and mouth disease, scabies, linear epidermal nevus, nevus sebaceous and infantile hemangiomas. Each category is discussed in detail and clinical images are used to assist with the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions. The second section focuses on hair follicle disorders including superficial folliculitis, keratin disorders and deep folliculitis. The treatment of these conditions is discussed in detail. The last section focuses on a rare blistering disorder called vesicobullous disease that causes vesicles and bullae eruptions on the skin and mucosal surfaces. The five variants of the blistering disorder including clinical images are discussed in detail.
General Dermatology Cases
This course focuses on reviewing ten case studies across various general dermatology conditions. Each case is supported by clinical images. History taking, identifying differential diagnosis, examination, investigations and management strategies are discussed in each of these case studies.
Study Modes
100% Online
Study at your own pace and to your own schedule.
- View and replay video lectures at your convenience.
- Participate in online case discussions with your peers.
- Attend or watch recordings of live tutorials with experts in this field.
- Complete your assessment online and receive your CPD hours and certificate.
HealthCert 365
Easily meet your CPD requirements and gain valuable skills – all in one place for $83 per month.
- Customize your learning experience by accessing and focusing only on course modules that interest you the most.
- Gain access to 200+ additional CPD activities and 50-hour special focus CPD programs, sourced from all HealthCert university-assured programs.
Outcome Measurement
Outcome measurement activities are not a requirement of our professional and advanced certificates. You may use an optional HealthCert outcome measurement activity or develop your own.
HealthCert provides several options to meet your outcome measurement hours requirement. These options are self-submitted activities and hours may vary depending on your focus area.
- Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) options on a specific topic.
- Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) on your identified area. A generic template is provided.
- Outcome Improvement Activity relating to specific topics within the course.
The purpose of outcome measurement activities is to improve your clinical confidence in managing an identified learning gap. The outcome improvement activities are designed to examine current clinical care, align clinical practice with best practice standards and identify opportunities for improvement.
Pre- and Post-Course Information
Entry Requirements
The Professional Certificate of General Dermatology is tailored for medical professionals seeking comprehensive knowledge on the diagnosis of various dermatological conditions in the early presentation stage. Participants will learn how to choose appropriate treatments for skin, hair and nail problems that commonly present in the primary care setting, with integrable knowledge that is immediately applicable in general practice. This course is tailored for general practitioner training and suitable for medical doctors and for degree-qualified nurses, pharmacists and dermal therapists who work under their supervision. The course assumes no prior knowledge or training in the field.
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.
Recognized Prior Learning (RPL)
Professionally recognized qualifications and prior studies may be recognized for entry into this course if the learning outcomes match exactly. Please ask a HealthCert Education Advisor for an individual assessment of your prior qualifications and experience.
Certification
This certificate course meets the minimum 50 hours CPD annual requirement across all three mandatory CPD activity types, provided an outcome measurement activity with a minimum of five hours is completed. You may use an optional HealthCert outcome measurement activity or develop your own.
Outcome measurement activities are not a requirement of Professional or Advanced Certificates.
Upon successful completion of the course requirements, course participants will receive the Professional Certificate of General Dermatology certificate.
This certificate course:
- Qualifies for CPD hours from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).
- Qualifies for CPD hours from the Australian College 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 hours must be stated on the certificate. Please contact [email protected] 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. Contact [email protected] for more information.
- Meets World Federation of Medical Education standards.
- Is quality-assured by Bond University.
- Qualifies for certified clinical attachments in General Dermatology in Austria at the University of Vienna.
- Provides credit for Postgraduate Diploma in General Dermatology which is studied online at the Rila Institute of Health Sciences which in turn provides credit for a Master of Science in Dermatology awarded by the University of Plymouth (UK).
- Has been independently developed with subject experts and does not receive education grants from any pharmaceutical company.
To learn more about the delivery of certificates in Australia and overseas, please visit HealthCert's FAQs.
Pathways
Professional Diploma Pathway
This course is the first stage of the diploma pathway. The full pathway is: Professional Certificate of General Dermatology, Advanced Certificate of General Dermatology, Professional Diploma of General Dermatology.
Postgraduate Pathway with the University of Plymouth
This pathway is suitable for doctors who are mainly interested in clinical academic study. The Postgraduate Diploma in Dermatology is studied through the Rila Institute of Health Sciences and awarded by the University of Plymouth (UK).
There are three modules in the Postgraduate Diploma. Medical professionals who successfully complete the HealthCert Professional Certificate of General Dermatology, Advanced Certificate of General Dermatology and Professional Diploma of General Dermatology will be eligible to apply for Accreditation of Prior Certified Learning (APCL) for module 3 of the Rila Institute/Plymouth University Postgraduate Diploma in Dermatology.
The Postgraduate Diploma is mainly delivered online. No practical workshops will be required due to the APCL from the HealthCert qualifications. Overall there will be a time saving of 40 per cent of the postgraduate program due to the APCL. Exams will be held in Perth, Western Australia.
When the Postgraduate Diploma has been successfully completed, medical professionals can apply for credit from the Postgraduate Diploma to the Master of Science in the specialism awarded by the University of Plymouth
Certified Clinical Attachments Pathway
Upon completion of the Professional Certificate of General Dermatology, participants can complete a Dermatology Clinical Attachment to increase the safety and accuracy of their work. Clinical Attachments in Dermatology are currently available at Darwin Dermatology and at the University of Vienna under the supervision of Professor Harald Kittler.
Course graduates may also join the International Society of Dermatology (ISD).
Providers Terms
Course Transfers
Face to Face Courses
Course transfers for Face to Face practical workshops are available, subject to requests being received, in writing, a minimum of 10 business days prior to workshop commencement. Transfer requests received after 10 business days prior to workshop commencement will incur an Administration Fee of $250.
Transfers will be subject to availability in the future workshops. If the future workshop has a cost differential, that price will apply, and any additional charges will be payable at the time of the transfer request.
One workshop transfer, per course is allowed. Further transfers will be considered upon application and may be charged at 25% of a full new workshop booking rate.
Online Courses
Transfers for Online courses are available subject to requests being received, in writing, within 7 days of enrolment. Transfer requests received after the 7 days post enrolment will incur an Administration Fee of $200. One course transfer request, per course is allowed.
If the future course being transferred to, has a cost differential, that price will apply, and any additional charges will be payable at the time of the course transfer request.
Online Cancellations and Refunds
Cancellation and a full refund of the course fees will be provided if a request is received, in writing, a maximum of 7 days after course enrolment. Refund requests received later than 7 days after course enrolment will incur an Administration Fee of $250. Upon cancellation and full refund of the course enrolment, you will not receive a certificate or accreditation points.
Bundle Courses
Courses purchased as part of a bundle attract a discount. This discount is apportioned to the final course in the bundle in the cases of cancellations and refunds. Therefore, cancellation and refund requests of a course that have been purchased as part of a bundle are refunded based on the first and/or second course being charged at the full price rate. Any courses remaining in the bundle can be refunded provided the request is received, in writing, a maximum of 7 days after course enrolment. Refund requests received later than 7 days after course enrolment will incur an Administration Fee of $250.
Tickets:
Course Fee$980| Contact Hours: | 77.5 hrs |
| Format: | Online Lectures |
| Duration: | Multiple Days |
| Lecture Videos | |
| Compatability: | All Devices |
| Language: | English |
| Subtitles: | Not Available |
| Provider: | HealthCert Education |
| Contact: |
Speaker(s):
 | Prof. Jonathon ArnoldProfessor of Cannabinoid Pharmacology, Deputy Academic Director of the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics at the University of Sydney, Australia. |
Professor Jonathon Arnold is a world leader in the science of cannabis and the cannabinoids. He is Deputy Academic Director of the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics at the University of Sydney, Australia. This is a cross faculty research initiative that specialises in the discovery and development of cannabis-based medicines. In 2018 he was one of four scientists selected to advise the World Health Organisation (WHO) on their historical review of cannabis and the cannabinoids.
Prof Arnold has over 20 years’ experience in cannabinoid pharmacology and has published extensively on the molecular, cellular, neurobiological and behavioural actions of the phytocannabinoids, cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Since 2016 he and his team have conducted epilepsy research to improve the understanding of the anticonvulsant properties of the phytocannabinoids. He recently published a high-profile paper which shed new light on the mode of action of CBD in the treatment of childhood epilepsy (Altmetric 75). This paper received the Epilepsia Brain Science Prize honouring the most significant advance in knowledge in the field of epilepsy in 2019.
 | A/Prof. Vicki KotsirilosAM, MBBS, FACNEM, FASLM |
- Expert Reviewer
- Awarded Honorary Fellowship of the RACGP
- Adjunct Associate Professor, NICM Health Research Institute
- Research Committee Member, NICM Health Research Institute
Associate Professor Vicki Kotsirilos AM is a respected general practitioner with over 30 years of clinical experience, integrating evidence-based holistic therapies such as acupuncture, nutritional and herbal medicine with mainstream healthcare.
A/Prof Kotsirilos keeps up to date with the research in these areas culminating in the development of the successful textbook A Guide to Evidence-Based Integrative and Complementary Medicine. She is also a regular writer for Medical Observer, publishing a monthly column on evidence-based Integrative Medicine and circulates research updates for Australian doctors.
A/Prof Kotsirilos holds adjunct associate professorial positions with NICM and La Trobe University's, Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, Faculty of Health Sciences, and formerly with Monash University. She was the founding Chair of the RACGP Integrative Medicine Working group, as well as the founder and Founding Past President of the Australasian Integrative Medicine Association (AIMA).
A/Prof Kotsirilos served as an active board member on AIMA for 20 years, forging positive relations with government and peak medical bodies such as the AMA and RACGP. She has served on many state and federal government committees, such as the Therapeutic Goods Administration, Complementary Medicine Evaluation Committee (eight years) and as the GP member on the Adverse Drug Reactions Advisory Committee (five years). In addition, A/Prof Kotsirilos served on the Victorian Council of the AMA and for several years worked closely with the Medical Panels, Victorian Workcover. She continues to work for regulatory federal government bodies such as AHPRA.
 | Dr. Harry McIlroyMD, Integrative physician in San Francisco |
Dr Harry McIlroy, MD is an integrative physician in San Francisco who combines the best of Western and Eastern medicine to help people live well and feel better.
Dr McIlroy is a licensed acupuncturist with training in functional medicine. He considers himself to be an old-time, small town family doctor with a big bag of tricks! He works hard to truly know his patients and help them optimize their health and vitality as naturally as possible. His specialties include medical cannabis, chronic pain, digestive health, regenerative medicine and insomnia.
 | Dr. Joe KosterichMBBS, Lecturer, Curtin Medical School |
Dr Joe Kosterich is a general practitioner, speaker, author, media presenter and health industry consultant. He writes for numerous medical and mainstream publications and is a regular on radio and television. He is often called to give opinions in medico legal cases, is clinical editor of a medical magazine, adjunct professor (teaching) at UWA and a lecturer at Curtin Medical School.
Dr Kosterich has a special interest in medicinal cannabis, men’s health, chronic disease and mental health. He has self-published two books and maintains a website and blog with health information and commentary. Through all this, Dr Kosterich continues to see patients as a GP each week.
 | Dr. John TehMBBS, Cannabinoid Clinician, Clinical Educator, Medical Director, PlantMed |
Dr John Teh is the Medical Director of Plantmed Medical Cannabis Clinic, Australia. He has been working within the Medicinal Cannabis industry since the legalization of cannabis for medicinal use in Australia in February 2016.
Dr Teh is actively involved in Cannabis Medicine education, training medical practitioners and allied health professionals in all areas of cannabinoid therapeutics. He is a medical advisor to various cannabis producers and suppliers within Australia, and consulted the Thailand government prior their introduction of their medicinal cannabis program in 2019.
Dr Teh has vast experience treating a variety of patients with Medical Cannabis and integrates nutrition and plant based medicines which support cannabinoid treatment in his practice. His wealth of knowledge makes him sought after in all areas of cannabis medicine and education.
