Dermatology: Infectious Skin Disease Distance Education
Key information
Develop a logical, problem-based approach to infectious skin cases.
Skin problems are among the most common reasons for presentation in everyday practice. The CVE Dermatology Distance Education program is a modular course that aims to provide you with the practical skills necessary to work-up and resolve these often recurrent cases with minimal frustration for both owner and clinician.
The Infectious Skin Diseases course has a broad content list, ranging from bacterial infections and mycoses to ectoparasites not typically associated with pruritus (such as demodicosis). It also covers all aspects of otitis externa and media including pathophysiology, diagnostics, medical management and surgical interventions. Professor Mueller is regarded as one of the world’s leaders in both demodicosis and otitis and leads this course.
The introductory module will cover the general approach to a dermatology patient. It also features practical work with microscopy and skin biopsy sampling conducted on-line and covers the key steps in the approach to nodules.
While much of the emphasis is on developing a logical approach to case management, this course reviews the latest information available on a wide range of conditions and presents the latest evidence-based treatment options available. Ultimately, having more confidence in your abilities to manage skin patients will lead to higher job satisfaction and improve patient outcomes.
Introductory module: Begin with our comprehensive introductory module that lays the foundation for dermatological assessment, including practical skills like microscopy and skin biopsy sampling, which you can complete online. This introductory module is compulsory but only needs to be completed once. If you have previously completed this module as part of the Dermatology: Infectious Skin Disease Distance Education course, you don't need to repeat it, and your first module starts on June 1, 2025.
Learning Outcomes
By successfully completing this course, you will be able to:
- Apply a logical, problem-based approach to infectious skin cases.
- Recognise infections associated with a range of clinical presentations such as alopecia, papules and nodules with draining tracts.
- Judge the practicality, advantages and disadvantages of in-house testing with respect to the various infections.
- Select the best treatment for your clients and patients, evidence-based and practically oriented for a range of infectious cases.
- Develop an awareness of the ‘one health’ concept with the most up-to-date approach to zoonotic diseases.
- Manage otitis externa from simple one-time cases to chronic recurrent cases.
- Know which medical treatment is indicated for otitis and when surgery is the client's best choice.
Modules
- Introductory module*
- Bacterial Skin Infections - understand their relevance as pathogens and complicating factors in chronic skin disease and the change in treatment options considering antibacterial stewardship.
- Mycoses - select the most appropriate test and choose treatment options based on their zoonotic potential and scientific evidence.
- Demodicosis - predisposing factors, various treatment options and long-term prognosis.
- Otitis externa - know when simple symptomatic therapy is indicated, when a search for underlying disease is needed, and the predisposing and complicating factors requiring consideration for long-term success. The art of ear flushes with or without video-otoscopy will be extensively covered.
* The introductory module only needs to be completed once so if you have already completed this module, as part of another CVE Dermatology course, you do not need to enrol in it again.
Workshop/s
This distance education course includes two face-to-face didactic workshops held in Sydney. Dates to be confirmed.
- 1-day workshop for the introductory module (if not completed previously)
- 1-day workshop for the Infectious Skin Disease Course
Dermatology Program
Our year-long Dermatology Distance Education program has been broken down into 3 manageable and independent parts: Pruritic Skin Disease, Infectious Skin Disease and Advanced Dermatology.
Each is a discrete course on its own but together they form a formidable dermatology educational program. Each course has an interactive workshop – a major drawcard – where you have the opportunity to apply the theory you have learnt under the watchful eye of your tutor. You also benefit from the group experience of learning with, and from, your peers.
The introductory dermatology module is a prerequisite for Pruritic and Infectious Skin Disease DE courses while you must complete either Pruritic or Infectious Skin Disease DE course to enrol in the Advanced Dermatology DE course.
Related courses
What is Distance Education?
Premium, intensive online veterinary CE
All CVE Distance Education (DE) programs are mentored by leading veterinary experts who will provide individual feedback and advice on completion of each monthly module. Each module may include written content, technique videos, self-reflections, quizzes and online submission of monthly assignments.
Maximise the opportunity to expand and consolidate your learning by participating in the tutor moderated group discussion forum and attending the two optional 1-day interactive workshops, with an emphasis on working through case studies and group discussion.
Who should enrol?
This course is ideal for qualified veterinarians looking to expand their expertise in dermatology.
Tutors
Sonya Bettenay, Stefan Hobi & Ralf Mueller