This module aims to develop and consolidate understanding of the skills, knowledge and attributes required for safe, and effective treatment of dermatological conditions. Successful completion will provide a deeper knowledge and understanding of the pharmacokinetics of topical and systemic treatments used to treat skin disease. Students will gain an increased understanding of key factors to consider when choosing treatment options including risk, cost, evidence about efficacy, disease severity and patient's response to treatment, inlcuding potential adverse. 

The module will develop and enhance patient consultation skills to formulate effective patient centred treatment options for a range of dermatology conditions whilst focusing on specialist knowledge of systemic and topical drug therapies used to treat skin disease.

This module is compulsory for the MSc Clinical Dermatology. It is suitable for practitioners with an interest in dermatological conditions and will be of interest to FY1-2, GPs, Dermatology Nurses, Advanced Care Practitioners, hospital and retail Pharmacists who are managing people with skin conditions on a regular basis.

Evidence-based treatment presentation - 30%

Short Answer Test Patient Management - 70%

Students will study a selection of topics such as:

• Factors affecting therapeutic decision making: clinical, patient factors

• Assessment and management of common skin conditions which will include: acne eczema, psoriasis, skin infections (bacterial, viral, fungal), wounds, urticaria and infestations

• A range of systemic and topical drug interventions for skin conditions including: emollients, topical steroids, anti-infective / antimicrobial agents, wound dressings

• Specialist drug treatments used in skin conditions, and drugs with special monitoring requirements such as methotrexate and other immunosuppresents, biologics, isotretinoin

• Monitoring therapy to minimise adverse effects: adverse reactions to drug treatments for skin disease including drug eruptions and drug induced skin disease

• Legal, ethical, professional and organization policies / procedures / guidelines and codes of conduct relevent to interventions used to treat skin conditions.

The Programme Leader and Admissions Tutor is m.flanagan@herts.ac.uk

For further information please contact the Module Leader - Kathy Radley k.radley@herts.ac.uk