Non-Consultant Career Dermatologists Acknowledged with Continued Professional Development Opportunity -
A new education initiative, designed specifically for Non-Consultant Career
Grade (NCCG) dermatologists has been launched this month. Driven by Dr Sue
Jackson, a member of the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) NCCG
sub committee, the initiative will kick off with the first ever Clinical
Dermatology Update meeting for NCCGs. Organised in collaboration with
Associate specialists Glenda Hill and Sue Welsh as well as Consultant
Dermatologist Julia Schofield, the meeting will take place in Birmingham on
10 and 11 March. Aimed to address the distinct lack of Continued
Professional Development (CPD) opportunities specifically available to
non-GP NCCG dermatologists, the meeting is being supported by an
educational grant from LEO Pharma and backed by the British Association of
Dermatologists.
Commenting on the new initiative, Professor Christopher Griffiths,
President of the BAD said:
"I am fully supportive of any programme focused on increasing knowledge and understanding in dermatology -
particularly so with NCCG dermatologists. These professionals deliver a vital service and contribute greatly to the
treatment and management of patients with skin disease. This new initiative represents a significant step and begins to
address the training and educational needs in this group."
NCCG dermatologists play a significant role within dermatology and the
British Association of Dermatologists has recognised this and has created a
separate sub-committee to support NCCGs. With over 600,000 secondary care
dermatology referrals, in excess of two million outpatient appointments -
with 60,000 inpatient episodes, demand for dermatology services is rising
steadily.
Dr Sue Jackson who is an Associate Specialist in Dermatology said:
"NCCG dermatologists already make a significant contribution to many
dermatology departments. With so many non-GP NCCGs working part-time,
this group has the capability to work more sessions to make an even
greater contribution in the effort to relieve the pressure on
consultants and reduce waiting lists. However, despite this, NCCG
dermatologists unfortunately do not always achieve adequate CPD."
A recent report published by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Skin
(APPGS) recommended that formal competencies should be established for
associate specialists and staff grade doctors. The report goes on to
suggest that the introduction of more formalised training could potentially
expand the role of NCCG doctors in dermatology.
Dr Jackson added:
"The 'Clinical Dermatology Update' meeting which we have organised has
received a tremendous response, with over 100 delegates confirming
their place within the first few days of the invitation being issued.
The response illustrates the strong desire NCCG dermatologists have in
updating their knowledge to meet the current needs of their patients.
This opportunity signifies a milestone development in dermatology care
and for NCCG dermatologists. We are therefore very grateful to LEO
Pharma for its unconditional support in helping us organise this new
and exciting meeting."
The inaugural Clinical Dermatology Update meeting has achieved CPD approval
from the Royal College of Physicians. Full attendance at the meeting will
be accredited as 11 CPD points. Guest speakers, who are experts in their
field, will cover a range of topics and disease areas including the
Management of Atopic Eczema, Skin Surgery, Life Threatening Dermatosis and
Advances in Treating Severe Psoriasis. Nearly 150 NCCG dermatologists are
now confirmed to attend the meeting, scheduled to take place at the Hyatt
Regency Hotel, Birmingham.
To conclude, Nick Ibrahim, Dermatology Divisional Director, LEO Pharma
said:
"We are delighted to be supporting this new educational meeting
specifically for NCCG dermatologists. As a company, LEO Pharma is
dedicated to developing and promoting high quality dermatology
education and service provision. We congratulate Dr Jackson and her
team for highlighting the education needs of NCCG dermatologists."
The results of the British Association of Dermatologists non-GP NCCG
Doctors survey published in February 2004 revealed:
- 71 per cent of NCCG Doctors are willing to do extra hospital clinics
- 67 per cent are willing to do more community clinics
- Most NCCG Doctors carry out some unsupervised clinics and 61 per cent
carry out ward consultations independently.
- Almost all NCCG doctors were involved in seeing new patients as well
as follow up patients.
- 91 per cent of NCCG doctors are involved in teaching other doctors and
healthcare professionals, including Registrars, Senior House Officers,
Pharmacists and GPs with a Specialist Interest in Dermatology.
- 31 per cent of NCCG doctors are not achieving adequate external
Continued Professional Development
- 29 per cent of NCCG doctors are not achieving adequate internal CPD
- 51 per cent have not registered their CPD with the Royal College of
Physicians.
- 12 per cent of NCCG doctors claim they are refused study leave
- 16 per cent of NCCG doctors experience problems in obtaining expenses
to recover costs incurred by their CPD.
The complete British Association of Dermatologists NCCG Doctors Survey
published in February 2004 is available on request.
The All Party Parliamentary Group on Skin 'Report on Dermatological
Training for Health Professionals' published in August 2004 highlighted:
- Non-consultant career grade dermatologist includes 120 associate
specialists and staff grade doctors. Over half of these clinicians work
less than full time, but devote their professional life to dermatology.
The report recommends that formal competencies should be established for
associate specialists and staff grade doctors.
- Furthermore the report suggests that the introduction of more
formalised training for NCCG dermatologists could result in their roles
being expanded within dermatology. By combining NCCG dermatologists work
in the community, with their current work within the hospital unit, a 'more
cost effective intermediate specialisation than the existing GP with
specialist interest (GPwSI) programme' could be created.
The All Party Parliamentary Group on Skin Report on Dermatology Training in
Health Professionals, published in August 2004 can be obtained from the
APPGS on request.
About Dr Sue Jackson MBChB (Hons)
Associate Specialist in Dermatology, Broadgreen Hospital, Liverpool
Sue graduated from Liverpool University in 1971. She has worked in
Dermatology as Research Fellow, Part Time Registrar, Clinical Assistant and
Associate Specialist. Her NCCG posts have fitted well around her family
life, which is her number one priority.
Sue has been actively involved in National and International clinical
trials. Her special interest is Paediatric Dermatology. She organises local
educational events for NCCGs, GPwSIs, GPs and Nurses
Sue helped set up the BAD Working Party for NCCGs. She is a member of the
BAD NCCG sub-committee and the RCP Standing committee for NCCGs. She is a
Regional BMA NCCG Representative. Over the last 2 years she has compiled a
database of over 900 Dermatology NCCGs and GPwSIs and has created a Group
Email of these doctors. She has carried out a number of NCCG surveys on
behalf of the BAD and the NHS Modernisation Agency. She has raised the
profile of Dermatology NCCGs and tried to ensure that they are recognised
and valued for the significant contribution they make to Dermatology.
About LEO Pharma
As a world leader in developing innovative and effective treatments in the
areas of dermatology and critical care, the portfolio of products from LEO
Pharma include Dovobet®, innohep® and the Fucidin® range. Owned by the LEO
Foundation, the company is committed to improving patient care and
strengthening understanding within its specialist disease areas.
leo-pharma
For more information please contact:
LEO Pharma
01844 276 286
mindy.dooaleo-pharma
Dr Sue Jackson
drsuejacksaol
0151 282 6857
All Party Parliamentary Group on Skin
26 Cadogan Square
London
SW1X 0JP
Tel: 020 7591 4833