This course is for CNPs and doctors working in WC Primary Health Care facilities. It covers basic theory and clinical decision making to support the provision of quality dermatological care.
About the course
Course Design:
Self-directed online.
Duration:
It will take approximately 8-10 hours to complete.
Eligibility for this course:
- CNPs registered with SANC or medical officers/doctors registered with HPCSA.
- Working in Primary Health Care in the Western Cape.
Certification:
Participants need 70% pass mark for final quiz in order to receive a certificate.
Accreditation:
8 general CEU's on Level 1, according to the HPCSA’s guidelines.
Published:
October 2024.
Course outline
The following topics are covered in this course:
Dermatology in Practice: Course outline
Chapter 1: Structure and function of the skin
- Review the anatomical structure of the skin
- Refresh understanding of the skin's key functions
Chapter 2: Approach to diagnosing common skin conditions
Develop an understanding of the approach to diagnosing common skin conditions.
- History-taking
- Examination (describing skin lesions and morphological patterns)
- Investigations.
Short video clip on skin examination.
Chapter 3: Principles of therapy
- Provide an approach to the management of skin conditions
- Understand an overview of dermatological topicals
Chapter 4: Approach to managing skin symptoms
Introduction
Understand the approach to managing skin symptoms in primary care:
- Formulate appropriate differential diagnoses for a specific skin symptom (as below)
- Understand the aetiology of the different skin conditions
- Know how to treat the various skin conditions
Painful skin
- Boil/Abscess, cellulitis, erysipelas, herpes zoster (shingles) and hand foot and mouth disease.
Itchy skin:
Generalised itchy rash
- Chickenpox, scabies, papular pruritic eruption, urticaria, drug rash
Q&A:
- Localised itchy rash
- Insect bites, psoriasis, pityriasis rosea, tinea corporis (ringworm), tinea pedis (athlete's foot)
- Itchy skin with no rash
- Dry skin, medication side-effect, jaundice
Generalised non-itchy rash
- Tick bite fever, secondary syphilis, HIV seroconversion illness, non-specific viral rash, drug rash
- Generalised red rash (children): glandular fever, drug reaction, measles, scarlet fever, non-specific viral rash, rubella
Lumps and bumps
Introduction
Q&A part 1
- Warts, molluscum contagiosum, seborrhoeic keratosis, Kaposi's sarcoma, epidermoid cyst, lipoma, Mpox
Q&A part 2
- Erythema toxicum, millia, baby acne, Heat rash, haemangioma
Acne
Crusts and flaky skin (Part 1 & 2)
- Impetigo, seborrhoeic dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema (atopic dermatitis), other types of dermatitis
Case examples
Changes in skin colour
- Jaundice, venous stasis, melasma, tinea versicolor, vitiligo, albinism
- Port wine stain, salmon patch/stork-bite, pityriasis alba
Nappy rash
Q&A: Irritant nappy dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, candida
Nail symptoms
Q&A: Fungal infection, melanoma, chronic paronychia, acute paronychia, Beau’s lines
Oral conditions
- Primary oral conditions: Oral candida, angular cheilitis, aphthous ulcers, herpes simplex, herpes zoster, dry mouth
- Skin conditions with oral lesions: Lichen planus, erythema multiforme, pemphigoid and pemphigus
- Systemic conditions with oral lesions: Hand, foot and mouth disease, diabetes, HIV-related conditions, syphilis and other STIs, nutritional deficiencies, Lupus erythematosus, Reiter's syndrome
Ulcer/s or non-healing wounds
- Symptom page reflection
Scalp and hair loss symptoms
- Symptom page reflection
Chapter 5: The skin and systemic conditions
- Recognise skin symptoms related to systemic conditions to improve screening and prevent complications.
Chapter 6: Urgent signs and emergency conditions
- Recognise some urgent skin symptoms related to emergency conditions.
- Know how to provide urgent management, or where to look for guidance, and how to refer these clients appropriately.
Final quiz
