SCAM13033U Companion Animal Dermatology – Diagnostic Clinical Dermatology

Volume 2024/2025
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

The purpose of this course is to further develop the participant’s basic diagnostic platform within clinical dermatology to include more sophisticated diagnostic thinking, competences and skills, which are required to approach and successfully diagnose the dermatological patient. The participant should, at an advanced level, be able to combine knowledge collected from basic and advanced paraclinical tests with clinical findings.

The course will provide knowledge on cytological interpretation of skin lesions, thorough assessment of cultures and sensitivity testing, IgE serum test- and intra-dermal test assessment, CT and videootoscopic evaluation of the ear canal and basic description and interpretation of dermatohistopathology. Dermatological patient cases and clinical work-up results will be used in an interactive dialogue with the participants in order to expand their competences in a problem-based patient approach of the dermatologic patient.

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 veterinary methodology and paraclinical tools in systematised reflective clinical decision making in companion animal clinical practice area of clinical dermatology.
  • Explain, reflect about and demonstrate overview of complex clinical decision-making, patient therapy and management at an advanced specialised level.
  • Explain, reflect about and demonstrate overview of systematic clinical and diagnostic approach to the dermatological patient at an advanced level.
  • List, classify, and demonstrate critical reflection on existing and new approaches to patient diagnosis, therapy, management and client education within clinical dermatology in an advanced practice situation.

 

Skills
 

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

  • Apply the quantitative and qualitative methodologies such as performing and applying clinical diagnostic thinking as well as master relevant practical diagnostic skills for companion animal dermatology.
  • Interpret, assess and reflect on collected patient data combined with assessment of clinical lesion morphology in order to identify the nature and causes of the dermatological disease.
  • Make clinical decisions, arrive at a diagnosis and consider evidence-based scientific approaches in order to plan and administer further appropriate diagnostics, patient therapy and management for the dermatological patient.
  • Collect and interpret skin cytology, hair and scraping samples and correctly identify appropriate diagnostic plan and follow-up based on initial basic skin sampling of the dermatological patient. Understand the interpretation of basic histopathology from common skin lesions. Demonstrate critical reflection of pros and cons for intradermal- and serum IgE-specific tests. Interpret CT data of the ears (external canals and middle ear) of the dermal-otologic patient and master videootoscopic performance and critical assessment for the chronic otitis patient.
  • Continuously seek out, reflect on and apply new evidence-based methods and solution models.
  • Communicate and discuss academic issues and solution models with both peers and non-specialists at an advanced level and across disciplines within companion animal practice.
  • Communicate effectively in writing and pass on results to relevant parties

 

Competences
 

Following the course, the candidate must be able to:

  • At an advanced level assess differential diagnosis for companion animal dermatological diseases and critically evaluate the relevant diagnostic approaches to reach a dermatological diagnosis.
  • Educate owners of patients with acute and chronic dermatological disorders with respect to diagnostic approach, prognosis and long-term medical treatment when applicable. 
  • Work independently, take responsibility for, predict, prognosticate and make decisions within clinical dermatology at an advanced basic level.
  • Independently evaluate and structure own learning processes and continuously obtain new knowledge at an advanced level within clinical dermatology.
  • Use relevant scientific literature in the field.
  • Evaluate different patient types, including the assessment of dermatological lesions in the dog versus the cat, combining the above-achieved skills.

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
  • Lectures
  • 10
  • Preparation
  • 87
  • Theory exercises
  • 10
  • Practical exercises
  • 15
  • 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: an evidence-based procedure.
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.
Exam registration requirements

80 % active participation in the on site course activities are required in order to obtain approved course. Both, approved course certificate and a passed examination are required to pass the course. Students may attend examination without approval of course certificate.

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 veterinary methodology and paraclinical tools in systematised reflective clinical decision making in companion animal clinical practice area of clinical dermatology.
  • Explain, reflect about and demonstrate overview of complex clinical decision-making, patient therapy and management of the dermatological patient at an advanced level.
  • Explain, reflect about and demonstrate overview of systematic clinical and diagnostic approach to the dermatological patient at an advanced level.
  • List, classify, and demonstrate critical reflection on existing and new approaches to patient diagnosis, therapy, management and client education concerning dermatology in companion animals.


Skills
 

  • Apply the quantitative and qualitative methodologies such as performing and applying clinical diagnostic thinking as well as master relevant practical diagnostic skills for dermatology in companion animals.
  • Interpret, assess and reflect on collected patient data in order to identify the nature and cause of the dermatological disease.
  • Make clinical decisions, arrive at a diagnosis and consider evidence based scientific approaches in order to plan and administer further appropriate diagnostics, patient therapy and management for the dermatological disease.
  • 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, basic understanding of dermatohistopathology, IgE blood tests and CT and videootoscopic evaluation of the ear canal.
  • Continuously seek out, reflect on and apply new evidence based methods and solution models.
  • Communicate and discuss academic issues and solution models with both peers and non-specialists at an advanced level and across disciplines within companion animal dermatology practice.
  • Communicate effectively in writing and pass on results to relevant parties.

 

Competences
 

  • Evaluate and diagnose companion animals with dermatological diseases at an advanced level.
  • Assess and reflect on patients with acute and chronic dermatological disorders with respect to diagnostic approach, prognosis and long-term medical treatment. 
  • Work independently, take responsibility for, predict, prognosticate and make decisions within clinical dermatology at an advanced level.