Overview
Surgery is still considered the most effective and definitive skin cancer treatment. The Professional Diploma of Skin Cancer Surgery is ideal for doctors with a special interest in skin cancer surgery. Delivered by noted skin cancer doctors and a team of experienced GPs, the program covers surgical procedures for the nose and the lower limb, reconstruction of alar and sidewall nasal defects, reconstruction of the nasal tip and glabellar defects, skin grafts and flaps for the lower limb.
This course is the third part of the three-part Professional Diploma of Skin Cancer Surgery. The education pathway is Professional Certificate of Skin Cancer Surgery, Advanced Certificate of Skin Cancer Surgery and Professional Diploma of Skin Cancer Surgery (online course components + practical workshop) or Professional Diploma of Skin Cancer Surgery Principles (online course components only).
Course Contents
The course provides advanced learning in skin cancer surgery and teaches various techniques allowing GPs to treat more complex cases in the primary care setting. Course participants can choose to complete the course entirely online or with an optional practical workshop.
- Neurovascular island flaps*
- Bilobed flaps*
- Banner and rhomboid flaps*
- V-Y flaps*
- Lip wedges*
- Periorbital defects*
- Case presentations
All topics are covered online and during the web live tutorials. *These topics are also covered during the hands-on practical sessions in the optional skills workshop. Course graduates also receive ongoing post-course support through regular alumni webinars.
Choose Your Delivery Format
The course is delivered fully online with the option to attend an eight-hour practical workshop. The modules are set up in such a way that you are not required to be online at specific times but can view and replay video lectures at your convenience. The suggested timeline is weekly learning over 15 weeks, with 12 weeks of teaching followed by the submission of required activities. There are no face-to-face requirements for exams which can be conveniently completed online.
Fully Online
- Commence your course anytime online, access all course content instantly and study at your own pace.
- Reinforce your learning, participate in case discussions, follow along procedure demonstrations, and ask any questions in webinars with presenters.
- Complete your assessment online and receive your CPD points and certificate.
Online + Workshop
- Complete your course fully online and receive all of the benefits of online study.
- Receive your CPD points and certificate.
- Cement your knowledge in the accompanying workshop with hands-on training, demonstrations and expert guidance in a small group setting on a date and location of your choice.
Entry Requirements and Course Requisites
The Professional Diploma of Skin Cancer Surgery is ideal for Medical Doctors and International Medical Graduates with a special interest in skin cancer surgery. Participants can expect to work with noted skin cancer doctors and gain the knowledge required to handle the most advanced surgical procedures on anatomically complex and cosmetically sensitive areas, thus reducing referrals to specialists and making them a favourable referral option for their peers.
The course is suitable for Medical Doctors and International Medical Graduates. Participants must have completed the Professional Certificate of Skin Cancer Surgery and Advanced Certificate of Skin Cancer Surgery (or qualifications deemed equivalent) in sequential order. It is recommended that 300 cases of skin cancer surgery have been completed before enrolling in this course.
Participants do not have to pass an IELTS test but, as the courses are delivered in English, proficiency in listening, reading and writing in English is assumed.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Professionally accredited qualifications and prior studies may be recognized for entry into this course. Please send an email to [email protected] 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 Skin Cancer Surgery and Advanced Certificate of Skin Cancer Surgery. 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 University of Queensland certificate courses in skin cancer surgery are able to gain credit for those studies, providing the relevant HealthCert assessment is completed prior to diploma studies commencing (please ask a HealthCert Education Advisor for the process). Other qualifications and prior studies may also be recognized.
Course Outline
Module 1: Bezier and Keystone Neurovascular Island Flaps
This module builds on the flap knowledge from the advanced certificate. The Bezier and keystone neurovascular island flaps come with blood supply so are not generally undermined and are cut all around the defect. These flaps are usually applied to the lower legs. When preparing for skin cancer surgery, patient history and circumstances are to be considered. Neuropathies of the nerves and compartments of the leg are described. Blood supply to the planned flap must be ensured and infrared cameras assist with this. Diagrams of how to mark out the Bezier and keystone flap including clinical cases and practical demonstrations assist learning. Advantages and disadvantages of these flaps are outlined. Recordings of planning and performing these flaps in both the clinical setting and on pork parts are included.
Module 2: The Bilobed Flap
The bilobed flap is commonly used for reconstruction of nasal tip lesions, utilizing the lateral nose and medial cheek. It may also be used for ear and cheek lesions. Nasal subunit images and guides to planning the flap repair are listed. The nasolabial angle determines the rotation of the nose and diagrams explain the angles. Diagrams and schematics demonstrate the planning of the bilobed flap including the related mathematics. The bilobed flap typically rotates from a lateral pivot point for side wall and nasal tip defects. The nasal muscles, skin thickness, blood supply and the trigeminal nerve must all be considered with this flap. Recordings of planning and performing bilobed flaps in both the clinical setting and on pork parts concludes this module.
Module 3: Banner and Rhomboid Flaps
This module outlines the banner and rhomboid flaps to the lip, nose and ear. It is a revision of the Limburg flap from the advanced certificate. These flaps are versatile anywhere on the body to preserve tissue and move adjacent spare tissue to the excision area. Diagrams outline the standard rhomboid flap including skin tension lines. The rhomboid flap marking out is from the defect outwards. Transposition flaps are similar to rhomboid in that it rotates about a pivot point however it differs in its design. Cosmetic subunits of the face, lips and chin and mathematical diagrams are included. Clinical images and recordings of planning and performing rhomboid flaps in the clinical setting are included in this module.
Module 4: V-Y Flaps and Variants
The V-Y flap is a neurovascular island flap with 3600 excision, no undermining and uses blood supply from underneath the wound area. The V-Y is useful on the nose, especially the side wall of the nose. Muscles of the nose are detailed. Flaps are generally preferable to skin grafts because they have a better colour and contour match and heal faster. Drawings of the V-Y flap demonstrate its application. Variants of the V-Y are described including the horn flap, with clinical images demonstrating the planning and post-operative success. Recordings of the planning and performing V-Y flaps in both the clinical setting and on pork parts are included.
Module 5: Lip Wedges
This module commences with a revision of the lip anatomy, blood, nerve and muscle supplies as understanding these are essential when planning lip wedges. Fundamental principles of lip wedge excision are explained including how to prevent microstomia. Information on the Abbe lip switch, the Estlander flap and Gillies/Karapandzic flaps are explained. Schematic diagrams and clinical images are provided to demonstrate best practice planning techniques. Recordings in both the clinical setting and on pork parts are included.
Module 6: Eyelids: Ellipses, Flaps and Grafts
This module focuses on planning how to remove lesions on the eyelids. Planning procedures in this sensitive area requires a considered approach. The subunits and eye anatomy are explained in addition to listing the essential principles and practical tips for lower eyelid surgery. Comprehensive information for planning ellipses or flaps is included. The module then looks at when to use either the full thickness and split skin grafts and graft planning techniques including information on the donor and recipient sites. Recordings in the clinical setting are included.
Module 7: Tips and Tricks
This module includes the tips and tricks from the advanced certificate and also includes additional tips for the professional diploma level. A clinical recording of options for suture techniques on the chest, upper and lower limbs, the abdomen and also a clinical recording for suture techniques on the back are included including the advantages and disadvantages for these options. Mesh dressings for wound protection are detailed, again including the pros and cons. Procedural options are revisited on the face with clinical images to support planning for two defect closures.
Course Inclusion
- For your one-off investment, you will receive unlimited access to all course content, additional learning materials, ongoing post-course support and more.
- Online pre-course activity to be completed in your own time.
- Eight online video modules to be viewed, replayed and completed at your convenience.
- All presentation slides and further learning materials available for permanent access and download.
- Instruments and consumables for practical sessions in the optional practical workshop.
- Post-course online assessment to be completed in your own time within six months of the course start date.
- Ongoing post-course support in monthly webinars with the opportunity to discuss cases with course presenters.
- Access to the HealthCert Community with additional free learning opportunities, special offers and other benefits.
Assessment
In order to meet the requirements of professional and academic learning, the course assessment includes professional requirements and two online examinations. There are no face-to-face requirements for exams which can be conveniently completed online within nine months of the course start date.
- Develop a report/explanation of how the learning from this course will help you with your professional development.
- Complete a literature review of three articles nominated by the course chair.
- Complete a clinical audit (separately accredited) to demonstrate application of learning.
A clinical audit is a mandatory element of this professional diploma. The clinical audit will guide you to reflect on your patient management, prior to and after, increasing your knowledge through your studies at HealthCert. You will need to submit your own cases as part of the audit. If you no longer see any cases in this field, the course offers an early exit point with the Complex Certificate.
Online Assessment
- 120 knowledge multiple choice questions based on a scenario of a medical practitioner undertaking special interest training.
- 120 authentic scenario based questions based on cases of patient care at a clinic.
- Example: A patient arrives at your clinic with this problem … What should you do? Multiple choice images based on patient cases.
The pass mark for each exam 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.
If you choose to attend the optional practical workshop and there is cause for postponement or you cannot travel due to Covid-19 restrictions, full workshop refund, transfer or alternative learning opportunities will be available for you. View full refunds and cancellation policy.
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:
Online + WorkshopClosed| Contact Hours: | 20.0 hrs |
| Start Time: | Sun, 09 October 2022 , 9:00 AM |
| Finish Time: | Sun, 09 October 2022 , 5:00 PM |
| Duration: | 12 Hours Lecture Time + 8 Hours Optional Practical Workshop |
| Format: | Online Lectures, Assessment and Optional Workshop |
| Language: | English |
| Venue: | Cliftons Melbourne - Collins Street |
Address: | 1/440 Collins St, |
| Provider: | HealthCert |
| Enquiries: |
Speaker(s):
 | Dr Victor HarlingMBBS Skin Cancer Doctor, National Skin Cancer Centres, Redcliffe |
Dr Victor Harling obtained his medical degrees from The University of Queensland in 1983. He worked for Queensland Health and the Wesley Emergency Centre for many years before pursuing his interest in Skin Cancer Medicine. Victor undertakes regular professional development courses and has obtained a Diploma of Skin Cancer from the Skin Cancer College Australasia. He is passionate about skin cancer medicine and surgery, and shares his vast expertise with fellow GPs in HealthCert certificate course and Clinical Attachments at the Redcliffe Skin Cancer Centre.
 | Dr Alister LilleymanMBBS, MMed (Skin Cancer), FSCCA Senior Lecturer, The University of Queensland Skin Cancer Doctor at Newcastle Skin Check, Charlestown NSW |
Dr Alister Lilleyman graduated from the University of Western Australia in 1994 and spent the next six years working in the public hospital system. After moving to Newcastle in 2003, he began working in private practice as a Skin Cancer Doctor, Assistant Surgeon, and Vein and Laser Physician. He completed a Master of Medicine degree in Skin Cancer Medicine from The University of Queensland, where he is now a Senior Lecturer. He is a proud member of the AMA (Australian Medical Association), College of Phlebology, and Fellow of the Skin Cancer College Australasia.
 | Dr Anthony AzziMBBS, MMed (Skin Cancer) Senior Lecturer, The University of Queensland Director at Newcastle Skin Check, Charlestown NSW |
Dr Anthony Azzi graduated from the University of Sydney in 1989 and moved to Newcastle, where he spent the next 13 years working in the public hospital system. He now works in private practice as a Skin Cancer Doctor and Assistant Surgeon. He completed a Master of Medicine in Skin Cancer from The University of Queensland, where he is now a Senior Lecturer. He is a member of the Australian Medical Association, Skin Cancer College Australasia, and the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine.
Course Information: Professional-Diploma-of-Skin-Cancer-Surgery__1_.pdf
