New Zealand Training Programme for Specialist Dermatologists

For detailed information about training in dermatology in New Zealand, contact the Royal Australasian College of Physicians or check out the College web site. Requirements for Vocational Registration in Dermatology in New Zealand can be obtained from the Medical Council of New Zealand.

Overseas trained physicians should go to the Medical Council of New Zealand web site for information about working as a dermatologist in New Zealand.

Supervising Committee

Specialist Advisory Committee in Dermatology
Royal Australasian College of Physicians
PO Box10-601, Wellington
New Zealand
Phone +64 4 472-6713. Fax +64 4 472-6718

Definition of Specialty

The study and treatment of diseases of the skin.

Basic Training

Advanced training in dermatology is undertaken after basic training in Internal Medicine has been completed. Basic training lasts three years and must be accredited by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. To enter advanced training in dermatology, a pass of the Fellowship examination is required.

Advanced training in dermatology

General principles

Specific instruction and experience is gained through prospectively approved training programs in appropriate registrar posts supervised by Specialist Dermatologists. At least half of trainee's work time should be devoted to the direct care of in-patients and out-patients, including children, with diseases of the skin. At least two case reports published in a refereed journal, one of which should be published in the Australasian Journal of Dermatology, and a completed clinical research project, are training requirements. One Quality Assurance project should be undertaken. There must be continued exposure to general medicine, for example by participation in clinical meetings, seminars and clinico-pathological conferences and other appropriate activities. Trainees are expected to be familiar with basic computer operation (PC and/or Macintosh), with experience of word processing, databases, spreadsheets, and Internet access. In relation to evaluation:

• The trainee's supervisor(s) for the RACP will normally be the specialist dermatologist(s) predominantly responsible for supervision of the trainee's work.
• The supervisor is asked to formally discuss and assess training progress with the trainee at three monthly intervals during the year.
• A report will be completed by the supervisor(s) towards the end of each year. Its contents will be discussed with the trainee and submitted to the College.
• The trainee is also required to submit a report annually to the RACP Committee for Physician Training, detailing his or her training for that year.

Components of Training

Core Training

Detailed instruction and experience must be obtained in general clinical dermatology with specific training in the following subjects:

• Biology of the skin, including anatomy, histology, embryology and physiology
• Dermatological therapy, including cutaneous pharmacology, toxicology of drugs used in the treatment of skin disorders, topical applications and dressing techniques
• Basic cutaneous surgery (skin biopsy, routine excisions, curettage, electrosurgery and cryotherapy)
• Cutaneous pathology, histopathology and relevant immunopathological techniques
• Basic molecular biology and impact of genetics in dermatology
• Skin surface microscopy.
• Contact dermatitis and occupational dermatoses including skin testing
• Photobiology of the skin and phototherapy
• Microbiology, mycology and parasitology of the skin
• Venereology: minimum of 15 half-days (up to 6 months full time may be acceptable)
• Dermatology specific to children and the elderly
• Radiotherapy and physical therapy relevant to diseases of the skin
• Basic laser physics and the application of lasers to dermatology
• Teaching and communication
• Medical audit with particular reference to dermatology

Elective Training

• Advanced dermatological surgery techniques - training being obtained from appropriately qualified plastic or dermatological surgeons or from a dermatological surgery fellowship
• Advanced laser therapy techniques
• Cosmetic dermatology including collagen implantation, sclerotherapy, liposuction
• Clinical and laboratory research techniques, and statistical analyses
• Management training
• Attachments to units specialising in infectious diseases, basic sciences (including pathology and immunology/allergy) and clinical genetics

Other Specific Requirements

• Trainees are expected to attend intensive short courses in specialised subjects for example, mycology, photobiology, infectious diseases, immunology, paediatric dermatology, dermatological surgery, laser therapy, sclerotherapy, histopathology and contact dermatitis. These are generally held overseas.
• Trainees should be responsible (under consultant supervision) for adequate numbers of new patients with a wide variety of skin disorders. They should follow up their own patients.
• Specific time should be allocated to discuss cases seen in department.
• The trainee should receive instruction in completing medico-legal reports eg. for the Accident Compensation Commission.
• Combined clinics are encouraged, with Plastic Surgery and Radiotherapy, or with Gynaecology and Venereology, for example.
• For each year for one month, a log should be kept of cases seen and procedures performed.
• Trainees should present cases at Grand Rounds of the hospital and at local dermatological meetings. A paper should be presented to the New Zealand Dermatological Society's annual meeting. Trainees are encouraged to attend and present at other dermatology conferences.

Research

No more than one year should be predominantly spent on research. Research positions must have a clinical component, usually two or more dermatology clinics each week.

Training Posts

Other than in exceptional circumstances, at least one year of Advanced Training should be undertaken in an approved overseas department. This will normally be during the final two years of training. No more than one year should be in a specialised unit, or predominantly spent on research.

Post FRACP Training

Post FRACP training requires prospective approval and retrospective accreditation with supervisors' reports in the same way as pre-FRACP training. However, the content of the final year will be determined on an individual trainee basis. It may be continued clinical dermatology of a general nature, subspecialist training, or research related to the specialty.

Special Society

New Zealand Dermatological Society

Please Note: Advice relating to training requirements should be sought from the Specialist Advisory Committee through the College Office.