Diploma in Clinical Dermatology 2008-2009
|
|
|
INTRODUCTION The Diploma in Clinical Dermatology course is designed for medical practitioners who wish to specialise in dermatology, after completing at least two years general medical experience. The course is a full time taught programme lasting one academic year. The course is suitable for overseas medical graduates in particular but is also appropriate as an additional course to contribute to any dermatology specialist training programme.
THE COURSE The course is designed to give a firm grounding in the fundamentals of modern British dermatology. It gives priority to clinical instruction, but also emphasises the scientific content of dermatology. It therefore gives prominence to the following topics:
Other major topics covered include:
1. CLINICAL INSTRUCTION: a) Regular dermatology clinics. Attendance at general outpatient dermatology clinics with teaching. b) Clinical tutorials. These are detailed clinical teaching sessions related to patients with specific interesting conditions. c) Regular clinical lectures and clinical slide tutorials. A very wide range of clinical topics are lectured on. Lecture titles include: Acne, benign skin tumours, bullous diseases, collagen-vascular disease, cosmetics and the skin, dermatitis herpetiformis, diseases of the oral mucosa, disorders of keratinisation, disorders of pigmentation, ectoparasites and the skin, eczema, erythema multiforme, genetics and the skin, hair disorders, hidradenitis suppurativa, lichen planus, melanoma clinical aspects and epidemiology, mycosis fungoides, nail disorders, nursing treatment in dermatology, paediatric dermatology, panniculitis and amyloidosis, porphyrias, pregnancy rashes, primary care dermatology, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, pyoderma gangrenosum, rosacea, sarcoidosis, skin disease in the newborn, toxic epidermal necrolysis, tuberous sclerosis, urticaria.
d) Dermatology Day Treatment Unit. Each student is personally allocated to the dermatology day treatment unit for two weeks for practical clinical experience. 2. PATHOLOGY OF THE SKIN: Regular pathology seminars and lectures are held. Teaching on this part of the course includes: Pattern recognition, artefacts, principles of pathological diagnosis, inflammatory changes in the skin, the range of epidermal reactions, benign tumours, malignant tumours, reticuloses, metabolic and degenerative disorders, bullous disorders.
3. ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY, AND BIOCHEMISTRY OF THE SKIN: This is based on a course of lectures which cover the following topics: Epidermis and stratum corneum, dermis, blood supply to the skin, nerve supply to the skin, hair follicles, sebaceous glands, apocrine and eccrine sweat glands, keratinization, epidermopoiesis, sweat secretion, hair cycle, pigmentation, collagen synthesis, cells of the dermis, wound healing, regional anatomy, ageing of the skin.
4. CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY AND THE SKIN: This topic is taught through a course of lectures covering: Immunological principles, allergy, manifestations of immune reactions in the skin, investigation of immune status, testing for delayed hypersensitivity, testing for immediate hypersensitivity, immunofluorescence diagnosis, skin signs of the immunocompromised patient.
5. MICROBIOLOGY OF THE SKIN: This topic is taught through a series of lectures which cover the following topics: Normal skin flora, microbiological techniques, mycological principles, bacterial disease of the skin, viral disease of the skin, fungal disease of the skin, chemotherapeutic agents.
6. PHOTOBIOLOGY: This topic is taught through a series of demonstrations of the determination of minimal erythema dose and use of PUVA apparatus, and a series of lectures which include the following topics: Principles, skin disorders caused by or aggravated by light exposure, investigation of patients with photodermatoses, photochemotherapy and phototherapy, protection from sun.
7. PRINCIPLES OF TREATMENT OF SKIN DISEASE & PHARMACOLOGY OF THE SKIN: This topic is taught through a series of lectures which cover the following topics: Mediators of inflammation, anti-inflammatory agents, antimitotic agents, immunomodulators, modulators of keratinization, symptomatic treatments, principles of treatment with topical and systemic applications, radiotherapy.
8. SOCIO-ECONOMIC PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES OF SKIN DISEASE Lectures on this topic cover: Epidemiology of skin disease, the social and psychological consequences to the individual of persistent skin disease, the manifestations in the skin of psychiatric disease, economic cost to the community of skin disease.
9. SURGICAL PRINCIPLES AND THE SKIN: A short practical course on general surgical procedures has been organised. This course includes practical demonstrations with hands-on sessions in relevant surgical techniques.
10. COSMETIC DERMATOLOGY: This is a new addition to the programme and includes lectures on cosmetic formulations, lasers in dermatology, facial peels and procedures such as Botox for wrinkles and collagen injections. Practical demonstrations are included wherever possible.
11. TROPICAL DERMATOLOGY: A series of lectures from visiting lecturers provide a basic grounding in tropical dermatology. Subjects covered include: Leprosy, leishmaniasis, tropical fungal infections, tropical ulcer, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis.
12. GENITO-URINARY DERMATOLOGY: A clinical attachment to a genito-urinary clinic is arranged, and there is a series of lectures throughout the course. All aspects of genito-urinary medicine related to dermatology, including AIDS, are introduced.
13. CONTACT DERMATITIS: Lectures are given by local and visiting lecturers. In addition there is a clinical attachment to the contact dermatitis clinic.
14. JOURNAL ANALYSIS: A series of journal analysis sessions are held. All students contribute journal article presentations to this in order to gain expertise in critical evaluation of published work. In addition, students each give a short presentation at a "Dermatology in my Country" forum.
15. DEPARTMENTAL MEETINGS: Students attend all regular major departmental meetings for further clinical instruction.
16. GENERAL MEDICAL MEETINGS: Students are encouraged to attend the weekly grand rounds of the University Hospital of Wales.
17. VISITS TO OTHER CENTRES: Day visits to other dermatology centres are arranged. In recent years Oxford, Swansea, Newport, Bath, Birmingham, Gloucester, Swindon and Bridgend have been visited for clinical instruction and lectures from local experts. New additions to the programme include: 1. CORROBORATIVE LEARNING In recognition of the value of learning from fellow students and other colleagues a number of group activities to encourage a more interactive and problem based approach to learning have been included in the programme. 2. COMMUNICATION COURSE A professional communication course has now been added into the initiation week of the programme. This course is helpful in preparing students for their patient consultations both during the course and after in their own practice. The course is run by a communication consultant and includes a team of actors to the make the scenarios as real as possible. 3. COURSE WEBSITE The entire course is managed through a modern interactive website which makes communication between students and administrators much more efficient. Many course resources are available through this site.
THE LECTURER FACULTY Over 35 visiting lecturers, including many very eminent and internationally known British dermatologists, come to the department as visiting lecturers on the course. There are more than 75 different lecturers who teach on the course.
SELECTION COMMITTEE This course is popular and we receive more applications than we have places to offer. All applications are carefully considered by the selection committee. There is a limit on the total number of students accepted each year in order to maintain high standards of personal teaching. It is therefore essential to apply well in advance, as time is needed for receiving referee reports and for the selection process. Applicants are required to produce evidence of their qualifications and general suitability. It is in your interest to reply promptly to any communication received concerning your application.
GENERAL ARRANGEMENTS AND EXAMINATION The Diploma course is based on a programme of one academic year starting in October each year. This full time programme of study consists of three academic terms with the University vacations of 3 - 4 weeks during December/January and during March/April. In course assessment is carried out during the course in which group activities, a short clinical review and clinical performance is assessed. The examinations and end of course are in June. The last week of the course is devoted to four days of examinations. The examination consists of clinical and written segments and is conducted by both internal and external examiners.
APPLICATIONS If you would like to make an application for the DCD course and are happy that you fulfil the requirements, there are a number of ways you can proceed. Please look at the options for making an application for the DCD/MSc course. COURSE FEES The 2007-2008 fees are £13,000 (UK pounds sterling) for the Diploma in Clinical Dermatology and an additional £5500 for the MSc in Clinical Dermatology. The course fees may increase slightly each year. Candidates are required to pay a non-returnable deposit (subject to the discretion of the College Authorities) of £1,500 (UK pounds sterling), payable immediately on acceptance of a place offered; the balance being payable at the start of the course. Places on the course cannot be secured until deposits are received. The same fees are payable by all students, whatever their place of residence. The Diploma and MSc can only be awarded if all fees relating to the course and examination have been paid in full, prior to the examination. For further information on courses, the Department of Dermatology and the Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff University please contact:
Miss Nicola McDermott
Tel: 029 2074 6405 (International +44 29 2074 6405)
E-mail
: ddsc@cardiff.ac.uk |
Click here to find out how to apply Click here for printable PDF version of the document |