Summary

The clinical dermatology care course (CDCC) by Guy’s and St Thomas’ is a comprehensive, introductory dermatology course for nurses and allied healthcare professionals who are new to the speciality or wish to extend their specialist knowledge and skills. It is a unique and affordable course, delivered virtually through an interactive learning platform and supported by a series of live webinars and continuous dialogue with the course tutors over 12 weeks. Six themed sections provide a broad clinical introduction to dermatology care. Formal evaluation has demonstrated that the course provides a high quality learning environment and clinical skills development to benefit patient care and service provision.

Method

The primary aim of the CDCC is to offer the opportunity to acquire new, or extend, clinical knowledge and skills in dermatology care. This is the only comprehensive, practice-focused, entry-level specialist course designed for nurses and allied healthcare professionals in the UK. It is widely accessible at an affordable price (£495 in 2023). It attracts practitioners in specialist care and those in generic services, such as GP nurse practitioners and emergency care practitioners. Structured, high quality teaching is provided by a range of experts, including nurses, doctors, pharmacists, psychologists, scientists and patient advocates. The online platform allows flexible learning at convenient times, with a shared learning community, engagement and networking through group work and a discussion forum. The course provides an estimated 45 hours of online, self-directed learning, plus 15 hours of live webinars. Procedural videos and lectures can be watched repeatedly. Interactive tasks check understanding and application of learning. Webinars enable practical application of learning. The CDCC is inclusive of all learners, with no pressure to undertake academic assessments. For those who wish to gain academic credits, a supplementary, work-based learning module can be undertaken as an option at level 6 or 7, in partnership with King College London.

Results

Extensive feedback and evaluation is undertaken each year via anonymous surveys, in addition to focus groups. High levels of satisfaction are achieved consistently with content, quality, mixed mode of learning, as well as length and pitch of course material. Descriptive data is also captured on personal learning objectives and practice outcomes. Feedback is reviewed and actioned annually, with clinical content updated or created anew, where appropriate, keeping abreast of practice development. The course completion rate is 98.5%, illustrating high student commitment and engagement with the course and the individual support offered. At an individual level, improved knowledge, skills, enthusiasm and confidence have seen nurses move into specialist nurse roles, write for publications for the first time, develop new services, become involved in patient education and quality improvement projects, plus take national engagement roles in dermatology advocacy.

Sustainability and Spread

This established, annual course is now part of the St John’s DermAcademy portfolio of educational events. It is available at an affordable price to individuals or employer sponsors and is financially self-sustaining. The course directors are two nurse consultants who support members of their team to take an active role in teaching activities, thus building skills and faculty for future course sustainability. The course learning platform is easily modified to keep it fresh and engaging. Since 2020, 182 students have completed the course from over 80 clinical departments in England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and overseas. An increasing number of dermatology departments are supporting staff to attend the course each year, reflecting its growing reputation. Given the mode of delivery, there is the opportunity for the course to be extended further to international nurses, improving access to specialist dermatology education globally.