New Clinical Dermatology Update Meeting Kicks Off Education Initiative

Main Category: Dermatology
Article Date: 09 Mar 2005 - 15:00 PDT

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Non-Consultant Career Dermatologists Acknowledged with Continued Professional Development Opportunity -

A new education initiative, designed specifically for Non-Consultant Career Grade (NCCG) dermatologists has been launched this month. Driven by Dr Sue Jackson, a member of the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) NCCG sub committee, the initiative will kick off with the first ever Clinical Dermatology Update meeting for NCCGs. Organised in collaboration with Associate specialists Glenda Hill and Sue Welsh as well as Consultant Dermatologist Julia Schofield, the meeting will take place in Birmingham on 10 and 11 March. Aimed to address the distinct lack of Continued Professional Development (CPD) opportunities specifically available to non-GP NCCG dermatologists, the meeting is being supported by an educational grant from LEO Pharma and backed by the British Association of Dermatologists.

Commenting on the new initiative, Professor Christopher Griffiths,

President of the BAD said:

"I am fully supportive of any programme focused on increasing knowledge and understanding in dermatology - particularly so with NCCG dermatologists. These professionals deliver a vital service and contribute greatly to the treatment and management of patients with skin disease. This new initiative represents a significant step and begins to address the training and educational needs in this group."

NCCG dermatologists play a significant role within dermatology and the British Association of Dermatologists has recognised this and has created a separate sub-committee to support NCCGs. With over 600,000 secondary care dermatology referrals, in excess of two million outpatient appointments - with 60,000 inpatient episodes, demand for dermatology services is rising steadily.

Dr Sue Jackson who is an Associate Specialist in Dermatology said:

"NCCG dermatologists already make a significant contribution to many dermatology departments. With so many non-GP NCCGs working part-time, this group has the capability to work more sessions to make an even greater contribution in the effort to relieve the pressure on consultants and reduce waiting lists. However, despite this, NCCG dermatologists unfortunately do not always achieve adequate CPD."

A recent report published by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Skin (APPGS) recommended that formal competencies should be established for associate specialists and staff grade doctors. The report goes on to suggest that the introduction of more formalised training could potentially expand the role of NCCG doctors in dermatology.

Dr Jackson added:

"The 'Clinical Dermatology Update' meeting which we have organised has received a tremendous response, with over 100 delegates confirming their place within the first few days of the invitation being issued. The response illustrates the strong desire NCCG dermatologists have in updating their knowledge to meet the current needs of their patients. This opportunity signifies a milestone development in dermatology care and for NCCG dermatologists. We are therefore very grateful to LEO Pharma for its unconditional support in helping us organise this new and exciting meeting."

The inaugural Clinical Dermatology Update meeting has achieved CPD approval from the Royal College of Physicians. Full attendance at the meeting will be accredited as 11 CPD points. Guest speakers, who are experts in their field, will cover a range of topics and disease areas including the Management of Atopic Eczema, Skin Surgery, Life Threatening Dermatosis and Advances in Treating Severe Psoriasis. Nearly 150 NCCG dermatologists are now confirmed to attend the meeting, scheduled to take place at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Birmingham.

To conclude, Nick Ibrahim, Dermatology Divisional Director, LEO Pharma said:

"We are delighted to be supporting this new educational meeting specifically for NCCG dermatologists. As a company, LEO Pharma is dedicated to developing and promoting high quality dermatology education and service provision. We congratulate Dr Jackson and her team for highlighting the education needs of NCCG dermatologists."

The results of the British Association of Dermatologists non-GP NCCG Doctors survey published in February 2004 revealed:

- 71 per cent of NCCG Doctors are willing to do extra hospital clinics

- 67 per cent are willing to do more community clinics

- Most NCCG Doctors carry out some unsupervised clinics and 61 per cent carry out ward consultations independently.

- Almost all NCCG doctors were involved in seeing new patients as well as follow up patients.

- 91 per cent of NCCG doctors are involved in teaching other doctors and healthcare professionals, including Registrars, Senior House Officers, Pharmacists and GPs with a Specialist Interest in Dermatology.

- 31 per cent of NCCG doctors are not achieving adequate external Continued Professional Development

- 29 per cent of NCCG doctors are not achieving adequate internal CPD

- 51 per cent have not registered their CPD with the Royal College of Physicians.

- 12 per cent of NCCG doctors claim they are refused study leave

- 16 per cent of NCCG doctors experience problems in obtaining expenses to recover costs incurred by their CPD.

The complete British Association of Dermatologists NCCG Doctors Survey published in February 2004 is available on request.

The All Party Parliamentary Group on Skin 'Report on Dermatological Training for Health Professionals' published in August 2004 highlighted:

- Non-consultant career grade dermatologist includes 120 associate specialists and staff grade doctors. Over half of these clinicians work less than full time, but devote their professional life to dermatology. The report recommends that formal competencies should be established for associate specialists and staff grade doctors.

- Furthermore the report suggests that the introduction of more formalised training for NCCG dermatologists could result in their roles being expanded within dermatology. By combining NCCG dermatologists work in the community, with their current work within the hospital unit, a 'more cost effective intermediate specialisation than the existing GP with specialist interest (GPwSI) programme' could be created.

The All Party Parliamentary Group on Skin Report on Dermatology Training in Health Professionals, published in August 2004 can be obtained from the APPGS on request.

About Dr Sue Jackson MBChB (Hons)
Associate Specialist in Dermatology, Broadgreen Hospital, Liverpool

Sue graduated from Liverpool University in 1971. She has worked in Dermatology as Research Fellow, Part Time Registrar, Clinical Assistant and Associate Specialist. Her NCCG posts have fitted well around her family life, which is her number one priority.

Sue has been actively involved in National and International clinical trials. Her special interest is Paediatric Dermatology. She organises local educational events for NCCGs, GPwSIs, GPs and Nurses

Sue helped set up the BAD Working Party for NCCGs. She is a member of the BAD NCCG sub-committee and the RCP Standing committee for NCCGs. She is a Regional BMA NCCG Representative. Over the last 2 years she has compiled a database of over 900 Dermatology NCCGs and GPwSIs and has created a Group Email of these doctors. She has carried out a number of NCCG surveys on behalf of the BAD and the NHS Modernisation Agency. She has raised the profile of Dermatology NCCGs and tried to ensure that they are recognised and valued for the significant contribution they make to Dermatology.

About LEO Pharma

As a world leader in developing innovative and effective treatments in the areas of dermatology and critical care, the portfolio of products from LEO Pharma include Dovobet®, innohep® and the Fucidin® range. Owned by the LEO Foundation, the company is committed to improving patient care and strengthening understanding within its specialist disease areas.
http://www.leo-pharma.com

For more information please contact:

LEO Pharma
01844 276 286
mindy.dooa@leo-pharma.com

Dr Sue Jackson
drsuejacks@aol.com
0151 282 6857

All Party Parliamentary Group on Skin
26 Cadogan Square
London
SW1X 0JP
Tel: 020 7591 4833

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