Subject Content
Foundations of Dermoscopy (SC104) is an interactive online course where participants develop the following competencies:
- Understanding of the principles of dermoscopy, dermoscopic equipment, and selecting a dermatoscope for practice
- Comprehensive clinical approach to dermoscopic examination
Understanding of the most important structures and cues seen on dermoscopy, their significance, and relation to histopathology
- Use of the revised two-step algorithm to make systematic diagnostic decisions regarding suspected skin cancer
- Practical competency in the use of the dermoscope to differentiate and diagnose benign non-melanocytic lesions
- Practical competency in the use of the dermoscope to differentiate and diagnose malign non-melanocytic lesions including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma
- Practical competency in the use of the dermoscope to differentiate and diagnose benign melanocytic lesions
- Understanding of the dermoscopic appearance of superficial spreading melanoma and nodular melanoma, and the common pitfalls in diagnosing melanoma
- Practical competency in the use of the dermoscope to differentiate melanoma from other melanocytic lesions
- Understanding of the specific principles relevant to performing dermoscopy of the face
- Understanding of the specific principles relevant to performing dermoscopy of the palms and soles
| Module | Topic | Description |
| Module 1 |
Introduction to dermoscopy |
Detailed introduction to dermoscopy including techniques and indications, principles of non-polarised and polarised dermoscopy, and selection of a dermatoscope for your practice. |
| Module 2 | Structures and cues seen in histopathology and dermoscopy | Overview of the correlation between pigment/colour and histological layer, and definition and importance of the spectrum of structures seen on dermoscopy. |
| Module 3 | Foundations of dermoscopic diagnosis: Two-step algorithm | Describes the revised and simplified diagnostic two step-algorithm and its application in many practice lesions. |
| Module 4 | Dermoscopy and benign non-melanocytic lesions | Dermoscopic evaluation of benign non-melanocytic lesions including solar lentigo, seborrheic keratoses, lichen planus-like keratosis, porokeratosis, clear cell acanthoma, sebcaceous hyperplasia, epidermal naevus, dermal cysts, and viral warts |
| Module 5 | Dermoscopy and malignant non-melanocytic lesions | Dermoscopic evaluation of pigmented and non-pigmented basal cell carcinoma, actinic keratosis, Bowen's disease, and also bowenoid actinic keratosis, keratoacanthoma, and invasive squamous cell carcinoma |
| Module 6 | Dermoscopy and Melanocytic naevi | Dermoscopic evaluation of banal naevi, growing naevi, congenital melanocytic naevi, dysplastic naevi, blue naevi, Spitz/Reed naevi, and recurrent naevi. |
| Module 7 | Distinguishing melanoma from benign naevi: Basic algorithms | Discussion of algorithms which may be used to distinguish benign naevi from melanoma including basic pattern analysis, ABCD rule, CASH algorithm, and the three-point checklist. |
| Module 8 | Dermoscopy and melanoma | Evaluation of superficial spreading melanoma and nodular melanoma including their key dermoscopic findings and the common pitfalls in diagnosing melanoma. |
| Module 9 | Common dermoscopy sites | Practical considerations of dermoscopy of the face, palms, and soles including the specific lesions to be aware of. |
| Module 10 |
Clinical cases in foundational dermoscopy |
Interactive online dermoscopy cases. |
Entry Requirements
The course is suitable for general practitioners (GPs), GP registrars, pre-vocational doctors, international medical graduates (IMGs), dermal clinicians, and practice nurses who want to improve their skills in the diagnosis and management of the most common dermatological conditions.
Doctors or nurses who have more experience or have completed an equivalent course can apply for recognised prior learning (RPL) and streamline their enrolment into the Advanced Dermatology for General Practice course (SC203).
Exit Examination
To ensure the course meets current accreditation standards for continuous professional development, participants are required to complete a professional submission and exit examination.
The professional submission requires the participant to summarise their new scope of practice including a personal synopsis of acquired competencies. This submission is required to be submitted within 3 months of the completion of the live workshop component of this course. In order to continue to build proficiency, participants also receive a template logbook for keeping track of future skin cancer presentations and their management (this does not need to be submitted).
The exit examination must be completed within three months of attending the live workshop component of this course. The exit examination for this course is comprised of two online examination components:
- Active response to clinical cases: Participants must complete 4 online clinical cases in the domain of skin cancer surgery. Participants must provide their own unique response along with their approach to management in order to pass these tasks. This component of assessment is pass/fail based on demonstration of a safe and efficacious approach to diagnosis and management.
- Completion of a multiple choice question (MCQ) exam: This component of assessment consists of scenario-based MCQ questions. The questions are written to specifically assess the listed course objectives.
How To Enrol
To enrol in this course and make payment, click on the ‘Enrol’ button at the top of the page. Access is provided to students within 24 hrs.
Course fees include access to the online modules and workshops for 365 days. Further fees apply for extensions and may only be granted on application. Please refer to our published refunds policy as a condition of enrolment.
ENROL/eh/2025-01-08/173633966714069467/picture.png)
/eh/2025-07-08/1751962110204480194/picture.png)
/eh/2025-06-21/1750485741321434291/Hi-Sign-in-My-Nihao.png)
/eh/2025-06-21/1750485837193896318/cart.png)
/eh/2025-06-21/1750485968202533847/cart.png)
/eh/2025-04-17/1744862476612819675/hot-img.png)











