SCAM13034U Companion Animal Dermatology – Advanced clinical dermatology

Volume 2023/2024
Education

This course is a specialisation course at the Master of Companion Animal Clinical Science. The Master is a post graduate education targeted for small animal veterinarians seeking Continual Professional Development (CPD).

Content

Content

The purpose of this course is to further develop the skills of the student within the discipline of veterinary dermatology in companion animals. Specifically, there will be focus on the advanced approach to the allergic patient (food allergy, atopic dermatitis, flea allergy) as well as certain autoimmune skin diseases, including the pemphigus complex, lupoid diseases and sebaceous adenitis. Further, an approach to feline skin diseases will be addressed. The level of prior knowledge and skills within dermatology from both veterinary candidate level and the first two modules of the master-education will be advanced further. By theory and practical exercises, the participant’s knowledge, professional skills and competences will be extended within the subject of companion animal clinical dermatology.

Read more about the Master of Companion Animal Science.

Learning Outcome


Knowledge
Having completed the course, the student must be able to:

  • Define, identify and discuss evidence-based decision making within advanced clinical dermatology. 
  • Explain, reflect about and demonstrate a complete overview of systematic clinical approach to the dermatological patient at an advanced level.
  • List, classify, and demonstrate critical reflection on the most current and novel approaches to patient diagnosis, therapy, management at an advanced level of clinical dermatology using comparative aspects to human dermatology where applicable. 
  • List, classify and demonstrate critical reflection of research methods, research study design and research presentation in specialised scientific veterinary and human journals concerned with clinical dermatology.

 

Skills
Within the area of clinical dermatology, the graduate must be able to:

  • Evaluate and manage specialized dermatological cases and have a solid understanding of applied treatment protocols.  
  • Continuously seek out, reflect on and apply new evidence based methods and solution models within veterinary- and human dermatology where applicable. 
  • Work systematically and effectively in the specialisation area, having knowledge and understanding of the area at a high international level. 
  • Master and apply advanced practice skills/tools in combination with theoretical knowledge such as preparation and evaluation of sampling procedures for cytological examination of different skin lesions, thorough assessment of cultures and sensitivity testing, advanced understanding of dermatohistopathology, IgE blood tests and CT evaluation of the ear canal.

 

Competences
Following the course, the candidate must be able to:

  • Work independently, take responsibility for, predict, prognosticate and make decisions at an advanced clinical dermatological level using most current diagnostic and therapeutic methods. 
  • Collaborate constructively within and between specialists/​​professionals and lay persons involved in the discipline of clinical dermatology concerning patient management of specialized cases.
  • Make ethical considerations regarding diagnostic methods and therapies and place these into perspective such as screening programs in cat and dog breeds at risk for genetic dermatological diseases. 
  • Communicate effectively verbally and in writing and be capable of discussing issues within the specialisation area with professional colleagues in private practice, in academia and in research institutions within the area of specialised clinical dermatology. 
  • Independently evaluate and structure own learning processes and continuously obtain new knowledge at a specialty level within advanced clinical dermatology.
  • Take responsibility for the continuing education of staff working in the graduates own clinic to ensure a uniform advanced level of care

Updated literature list will be posted 1 month prior to course start. The participant should have theoretical knowledge updated prior to participation.

Inclusion criteria for Master's Programme in Companion Animal Clinical Science:

-Degree in veterinary medicine and at least two years of relevant work experience.
SCAM13001U, SCAM13002U, SCAM13003U, SCAM13004U or one of the following certifications in Companion Animal Diseases:


-DVA in Small Animal Diseases, in Danish known as “certificeret fagdyrlæge i sygdomme hos hunde og katte”


-Swedish specialist in diseases of dogs and cats, in Swedish known as Steg 1


-Norwegian specialist in diseases of dogs and cats, in Norwegian known as Specialisering i veterinærmedisin, spesialitet smådyr

-Finnish specialist in diseases of dogs and cats, in Finnish known as Pieneläinsairauksien erikoiseläinlääkäri
Lectures, e-learning, theoretical and practical exercises. Case-study work.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Preparation
  • 85
  • Practical exercises
  • 37
  • Exam
  • 40
  • Total
  • 162
Oral
Individual
Collective
Credit
6 ECTS
Type of assessment
Portfolio
Type of assessment details
The portfolio exam consists of two parts.
1) The course certificate, which supports, underpins, and focuses on the learning process (learning portfolio). All required components of the course certificate must be approved and include a) a minimum of 80% active participation, b) preparation and oral presentation of a problem oriented clinical case and c) a written assignment: a master thesis protocol.
2) A graded evaluation, which focuses on the intended learning outcomes (evaluation portfolio). The graded evaluation includes an exam with multiple-choice, short answer, and/or essay questions.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
External censorship
Exam period

Exam dates will be published on the programme  homepage.

Criteria for exam assesment


To achieve the maximum grade of 12, the student shall be able to:

Knowledge

  • Define, identify and discuss evidence-based decision making within advanced clinical dermatology. 
  • Explain, reflect about and demonstrate a complete overview of systematic clinical approach to the dermatological patient at an advanced level.
  • List, classify, and demonstrate critical reflection on the most current and novel approaches to patient diagnosis, therapy, management at an advanced level of clinical dermatology using comparative aspects to human dermatology where applicable. 
  • List, classify and demonstrate critical reflection of research methods, research study design and research presentation in specialised scientific veterinary and human journals concerned with clinical dermatology.


Skills

  • Evaluate and suggest management of complex dermatological cases and have a solid understanding of relevant treatment protocols.  
  • Continuously seek out, reflect on and apply new evidence based methods and solution models within veterinary- and human dermatology where applicable. 
  • Work systematically and effectively in the specialisation area, having knowledge and understanding of the area at a high international level. 
  • Master and apply advanced practice skills/tools in combination with theoretical knowledge such as preparation and evaluation of sampling procedures for cytological examination of different skin lesions, thorough assessment of cultures and sensitivity testing, advanced understanding of dermatohistopathology, IgE blood tests and CT evaluation of the ear canal.
  1.  

Competences

  • Work independently, take responsibility for, predict, prognosticate and make decisions at an advanced clinical dermatological level using most current diagnostic and therapeutic methods. 
  • Make ethical considerations regarding diagnostic methods and therapies and place these into perspective such as screening programs in cat and dog breeds at risk for genetic dermatological diseases. 
  • Communicate effectively verbally and in writing and be capable of discussing issues within the specialization area with professional colleagues in private practice, in academia and in research institutions within the area of specialized clinical dermatology.