Summary

The New Dermatologist (ND) education platform is a novel teaching initiative conceived and delivered by 13 friends and established consultant dermatologists from several Trusts. It aims to bridge old and new dermatology skills to inspire, teach and guide the next generation of dermatologists in the NHS, empowering them to achieve the highest standards of management for patients with skin disease.

Method

The ND course is a professional and pastoral course aimed at senior dermatology trainees and new dermatology consultants. This one-day, national teaching course, now in its fifth year, is delivered by the ND team members in their own time. The lectures encompass clinical, managerial and pastoral requirements for new consultants in dermatology in the NHS. The team co-produced 12 podcasts in collaboration with general practitioners (GPs) on the management of common skin conditions, with GPs asking the questions to ensure their learning needs were addressed. Topics covered included acne, eczema, psoriasis and skin cancer. The aim was to optimise the management of patients with skin disease in the community and empower GPs to confidently manage common skin diseases. Dermatology is in crisis, with unfilled dermatology consultant posts, gradual privatisation of services and an unprecedented rise in demand. This is compounded by a lack of standardised dermatology training for GPs. The plan was to both address GP education and inspire and nurture the new generation of consultant dermatologists. Sponsorship from L’Oreal allowed free attendance to the course and free access to medical podcasts. The course is promoted and supported by the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) and has four RCP accredited CPD points. The course continues to evolve based on feedback. Twelve high-quality podcasts were recorded in a studio with a specialised production company between 2020 and 2021. GPs’ questions were researched by the dermatologist (and peer-reviewed by a second dermatologist) before recording. Each podcast covered a different topic to highlight up-to-date evidence and provide easy-to-implement management pearls. The podcasts were released onto three main social media platforms. An educational questionnaire was available for service users to assess knowledge on a separate platform.

Results

Feedback from delegates and GPs has been overwhelmingly positive, demonstrating the course's success in enhancing confidence and competence in managing dermatological conditions. The unique approach of the ND course, combining professional and pastoral elements, provides comprehensive preparation for dermatology trainees and new consultants. Trainees have particularly benefited from the practical, real-world insights shared by experienced consultants, which are not typically covered in standard medical education. The podcasts, with over 17,000 downloads, have reached an international audience, including listeners in the US, Australia and Europe. GPs have reported increased confidence in managing skin disease in the community, allowing evidence-based treatment to start quickly and closer to home. The course completion rate is high, illustrating strong engagement and commitment from participants. The initiative’s focus on addressing both clinical and managerial aspects equips new consultants with the necessary skills to handle the complexities of dermatology practice in the NHS.

Sustainability and Spread

The ND website provides free access to the podcasts and course information. The ND course has been advertised on the BAD annual calendar for the fourth year running and has its support. The course and podcasts have been advertised by medical events by L’Oreal and at St John’s Institute of Dermatology and the Royal Society of Medicine. Word-of-mouth dissemination between dermatology trainees and GPs and GP trainees has been a successful way of reaching clinicians. The course has been highly recommended by training programme directors. The podcasts are freely accessible on Google, Apple and Spotify, with 52% of downloads in the UK, 19% in the US and 5% in Australia. The top five listened-to podcasts were on psoriasis, skin cancer, rosacea, acne and vulval dermatology.