Summary
GP Federations’ ‘Confidence in Dermatology’ is a series of educational tools, including webinars and treatment guidelines, developed by GPs with enhanced skills in Dermatology, with input from secondary care. Eleven webinars have been produced, and treatment guidelines embedded in GP systems in Northern Ireland (NI). The aim is to provide an educational resource for primary care practitioners, improving their confidence and knowledge in managing the most common dermatological conditions. This means a greater number of patients can be managed in a primary care setting, improving patient experience, increasing the knowledge of GPs, and enhancing the quality of referrals to secondary care.
Method
The aim of the ‘Confidence in…’ series was: to make great healthcare training accessible for all primary care healthcare professionals (HCPs) for a range of routine dermatological conditions; to upskill and support primary care in the management of routine dermatological conditions; to improve confidence in condition management to enable primary care to manage a higher volume of routine conditions within a primary care setting; to improve the quality of referrals to secondary care, and to build relationships between primary and secondary care colleagues. The tools were developed and delivered collaboratively between both primary and secondary care colleagues, with highest referral topics being prioritised in the curriculum. The webinars were delivered live, but also recorded and loaded on a website so that they could be watched at the attendees’ convenience. During the live webinars, there was ample time provided for questions and case discussions, which were highly valued by participants. The treatment guidelines were embedded in GP practices’ systems in NI and placed on the GP Federations website. These guidelines are educational and diagnostic tools to support GPs with the most up-to-date guidance during point-of-care decision making.
Results
The aim of the series was to improve the confidence of primary care HCPs in the management of routine dermatology conditions. Since the ‘Confidence in…’ series started in April 2021, 720 primary care HCPs have accessed the training. The following feedback was recorded from all participants: 100% felt the session improved their knowledge of the topic; 99% felt the session improved their confidence in managing patients with the conditions; 80% felt the knowledge they had gained would change how they treated patients with these conditions. Qualitative feedback was recorded from the participants. Comments included: ‘More confidence in recognition and treatment skin conditions’; ‘able to give better advice to patients’; ‘Webinar would ensure more appropriate prescribing’; ‘Definitely lead to improved patient care’, and ‘Be more confident in diagnosis and prescribing’. This will result in improved patient care in the management of skin conditions.
Sustainability and Spread
The webinar component of the ‘Confidence in…’ series was delivered over the period of one year, with an average of one webinar per month. These were recorded live, alternating between a lunchtime slot and an early evening slot. For those unable to attend live, the webinars were recorded and hosted on the service’s website. Information regarding upcoming webinars was disseminated to all primary health care staff in NI through GP Federations and social media outlets. The webinars have been so successful that many participants have asked for further topics to be covered. The treatment guidelines were issued electronically to all GP practices in NI, as well as being available to download from the central website.
