World-class Dermatoscopy & Surgical Training Made Simple

As doctors we are often the first and sometimes the only ones to see our patient’s skin. Unfortunately we have little training in diagnosing skin cancers and hence most of us, feel anxious when confronted with a patient concerned with “a changing mole”. How can we improve our confidence? The best way without doubt is with training in dermatoscopy which allows you recognise skin cancers earlier and with greater precision. Traditional dermatoscopy teaching has been complicated and difficult. The Skin Cancer Symposium delivers world-class teaching by Professor Amanda Oakley, the founder of Dermnet and from Professor Cliff Rosendahl, the co-author of ‘Chaos and Clues’ and ‘Pigment without Prediction’. Cliff and Amanda break down dermatoscopy teaching into simple easy to follow algorithms. You will be able to apply these algorithms the very next day in your practice with your complimentary MoleScope II dermatoscope *. Amanda and Cliff’s teaching will complimented by experienced GP Skin Cancer specialists who will ensure the teaching is highly practical to general practice

* We reserve the right to change this deal to a better dermatoscope

Convenors: Dr Chris Boberg and Dr Andrew MacGill

Overview

  • Highest Quality Teaching – our average rating of hundreds of GPs, nurses and surgeons is 4.7/5 (94%)

  • We make it easy – dermatoscopy does not need to be hard, our Professors will teach you in simple to understand terms

  • Complimentary dermatoscope – so you can start doing dermatoscopy the very next day at your rooms.

  • Fully Accredited – by the Royal College of General Practitioners (UK), the Royal NZ College of General Practitioners and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons

  • Interactive sessions – We will provide lots of examples, quizzes and repetition to help reinforce key points. A new interactive tool will be used to encourage audience engagement. Our new tool means you can talk with your lecturer anonymously, ask questions and vote. It is a game changer technology and we will use this to help us understand what you do and don’t understand and address accordingly.

Fundamentals of Diagnosing a Melanoma

Professor Cliff Rosendahl from the University of Queensland in his usual entertaining, insightful and direct way, talks about the importance of “knowing your mothers face” – a very effective way to use pattern recognition to help identify dermatoscopic lesions.

Our Speakers

Professor Cliff Rosendahl University of Queensland

Cliff is a Medical Practitioner of 40 years’ experience, with a background in general practice and forensic medicine. His PhD project was in the field of skin cancer, particularly melanoma. Cliff collaborated with colleagues in Brisbane and Vienna to research the early diagnosis of melanoma and together they have evaluated and promoted the diagnostic method Chaos and Clues. Cliff is a Professor at The University of Queensland where he is director of the Master of Medicine (Skin Cancer) degree course and visiting Professor, Department of Dermatology at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. He has published over 70 papers in peer-review scientific journals and is author of a textbook on dermatoscopy, published in 8 languages and is a contributing author to several other textbooks in English and two in Spanish. Cliff has a busy schedule as an invited speaker to general practitioner and dermatologist groups both in Australia and internationally

Adjunct Associate Professor Amanda Oakley CNZM
University of Auckland

Amanda is a dermatologist in Hamilton, New Zealand. She is passionate about dermatoscopy, avoiding unnecessary excisions, and early diagnosis of melanoma. She is passionate about medical education. Dr Oakley is well known internationally for the popular online resource, DermNet New Zealand, and for her work in teledermatology. She is very proud to have been awarded honorary membership of the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Dermatological Association, the Skin Cancer College of Australasia and Melnet New Zealand. She lectures internationally about teledermatology and dermoscopy, and regularly facilitates workshops on dermoscopy.

Mr Richard Martin
Melanoma Surgeon. Senior Lecturer (Auckland)

Richard is a New Zealand trained General Surgeon who spent two and a half years at the Sydney Cancer Centre specialising in Melanoma and Head and Neck surgery. Most of his time was spent at the Sydney Melanoma Unit. During his time in Sydney he completed a Master of Surgery in Surgical Oncology at the University of Sydney. As a Surgical Oncologist Richard assesses and treats all forms of melanoma, skin and head/neck cancer. Richard has published in numerous academic journals, is a regular presenter at international conferences and is actively involved in research and clinical trials. He is also a Senior Lecturer at the University of Auckland.

Dr Chris Boberg
Deputy Chair Melnet NZ. Chair of New Zealand Skin Cancer Doctors.

Chris is a GP with a longstanding interest in skin cancer. He has been in full-time practice as a skin cancer doctor since 2011. He has numerous qualifications in skin cancer including Advanced Skin Cancer Surgery (Queensland). Advanced Dermatosopy (Graz University, Austria).  He is the Deputy Chair of Melnet New Zealand and the Chair of New Zealand Skin Cancer Doctors. As one of New Zealand’s leading skin cancer experts he has been a strong advocate for skin cancer prevention and treatment.

Ms Katherine Gale
Breast & Melanoma Surgeon

Katherine is one of a few female specialist oncoplastic breast surgeons in New Zealand who practice all aspects of breast oncology and reconstruction. An expert in minimally-invasive diagnostic and treatment methods for all types of breast disease and, following a breast cancer diagnosis, she can offer a full range of partial and whole breast reconstruction. Katherine believes in offering evidence based research to patients when tailoring a surgical solution, and has done extensive research in both breast oncology and reconstruction.

Dr Andrew MacGill
Fellow of the Royal New Zealand College of GPs, GPwSI

Andrew is a GP who has had a special interest in medical and surgical management of skin cancer since 1998. As of 2015 after 25 years as a GP in New Zealand he has become a full-time skin cancer doctor. He is completing a Master’s in dermatoscopy at the Medical University of Graz, Austria. He has also undergone additional training in cutaneous surgery here in New Zealand and in San Diego. He is highly experienced and meticulous with all forms of cutaneous surgery and has been using complex flaps and grafts for many years. Andrew is a very experienced dermatoscopist.

Dr Martin Denby
Fellow of the Royal New Zealand College of GP, GPwSI

Martin is a Fellow of the New Zealand College of General Practitioners (FRNZCGP). He was completed two short courses in Australia in 2010, Skin Cancer Surgery and Advanced Dermoscopy (early diagnosis of skin cancers under the microscope). He then underwent a further 4 years post-graduate study, completing a Masters Degree in Skin Cancer from the University of Queensland in 2014. He is an affiliated skin cancer provider for Southern Cross Healthcare and performs skin cancer surgery for Waitemata District Health Board. He is also on the Dermatological Subcommittee for PTAC (Pharmac’s primary clinical advisory committee).

Dr Kasia Mackenzie
Plastic Surgeon
FRACS(Plast), PhD (Skin Cancer)

Dr Mackenzie is a plastic, reconstructive and hand surgeon. Dr Mackenzie received her medical doctor degree from the Medical University of Warsaw. She subsequently moved to New Zealand and underwent training in plastic surgery in Christchurch and Auckland, culminating in the award of full accreditation in Plastic Surgery by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, FRACS(Plast) in 2015. Dr Mackenzie then trained extensively both in the UK and internationally and undertook a number of prestigious fellowships over three years, working alongside world leaders in both plastic and hand surgery.

Our Course Structure

Certificate of Fundamental Dermatoscopy
(Online Course)

Dates: 12th April 2021, 5th July 2021 and 27th September 2021

Main highlights of our course:

  • Interactivity – Our revolutionary course combines the latest in video technology to mimic the whole experience of being in the audience. When Professor Cliff Rosendahl asks you a question in the lecture, you get to answer the question, live and right in the video. When the Professors point at something on the powerpoint, our technology highlights what they are indicating.
  • Revolutionary learning platform – We also use industry-leading e-learning software to create interactive modules where we reinforce the lecture material to pinpoint and clarify certain topics.
  • Structured learning – We will have a structured 12-week learning program where you will be able to watch lectures, do weekly quizzes and also participate in discussions. Time commitment is 3-5 hours a week.

Course Structure:

  • Week 1 – Introduction to Dermatoscopy & The Language of Dermatoscopy
  • Week 2 – Benign Naevi
  • Week 3 – Benign Non-Naevi
  • Week 4 – Benign Lesions – Case Discussion and Quiz
  • Week 5 – Chaos and Clues Part 1
  • Week 6 – Chaos and Clues Part 2
  • Week 7 – Chaos and Clues – Case Discussion and Quizzes
  • Week 8 – Prediction without Pigment
  • Week 9 – Prediction without Pigment – Case Discussion and Quizzes
  • Week 10 – Malignancy of the Skin
  • Week 11 – Study Break
  • Week 12 – Final Exam

Certificate of Fundamental Dermatoscopy
(Online Course)

Our course will cover:

The importance of using a dermatoscope in general practice is now well recognised. The dermatoscope is a more useful tool than any other tool that might adorn your metaphorical white coat. This brief talk describes how to use your dermatoscope correctly, the usefulness of using both the polarised and non-polarised modes on the dermatoscope, as well the pros and cons of contact and non-contact dermatoscopy. Professor Cliff Rosendahl.

Whilst the perfect full and systematic skin check isn’t always possible in the context of a GP appointment it will provide you with the gold standard which you can use for patients at high risk who agree to return for an appointment purely dedicated to a “skin check”. Professor Cliff Rosendahl.

Dermatoscopy has evolved from subjective and confusing metaphorical language into an objective “teachable” descriptive language (revised pattern analysis). Cliff is a pioneer in this area of dermatoscopy will discuss the fundamental building blocks of dermatoscopic language, and how these basic building blocks can combine into benign and malignant patterns and their biologic symmetry or asymmetry. Professor Cliff Rosendahl.

Professor Amanda Oakley a world expert in dermatoscopy will talk about how to identify common melanocytic naevi. This talk is aimed at teaching the key clinical and dermatoscopic features of nevi, in particular how dermatoscopic elements combine to form symmetrical patterns. She will discuss the concepts of Chaos of Pattern and Chaos of Colour in relation to naevi. Recognising benign lesions is a fundamental skill and will reduce the number of unnecessay excisions or referrals you make. Professor Amanda Oakley.

Professor Amanda Oakley, who has been educating dermatologists and GPs in dermatoscopy in NZ and around the world for a decade or more, will present a fascinating summary. This talk is aimed at teaching the key clinical and dermatoscopic features of the solar lentigo, seborrhoeic keratosis, dermatofibroma, sebaceous hyperplasia, angioma and cyst. Recognising benign lesions is a fundamental skill and will reduce the number of unnecessary excisions or referrals you make. Professor Amanda Oakley.

Chaos and Clues is an algorithm to help you diagnose what pigmented lesions need excising. The specific diagnosis isn’t required. Melanomas, SCCs and BCCs can all be pigmented or non-pigmented. Professor Cliff Rosendahl in another dynamic lecture will make all this abundantly clear and make you laugh as well! Cliff is a co-author of the Chaos and Clues algorithm. There will be quizzes throughout the presentation to reinforce key messages. You will have access to these quizzes after the symposium to act as a quick refresher course. Professor Cliff Rosendahl.

Cliff will build on his previous lecture and provide plenty of repetition with new and interesting examples of how to apply the Chaos and Clues algorithm. Professor Cliff Rosendahl.

Prediction without Pigment is our preferred algorithm for diagnosing non-pigmented lesions. In this lecture you will get lots of repetition on the dermatoscopy of non-pigmented lesions. These can include naevi, melanomas, basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). This is an amazing lecture given with humour and passion by Professor Cliff Rosendahl who is a co-author of the ‘Prediction without Pigment’ algorithm. There will be quizzes throughout the presentation to reinforce key messages. You will have access to these quizzes after the symposium to act as a quick refresher course. Professor Cliff Rosendahl.

We will cover the basics of the clinical and dermatoscopic features of BCCs, SCCs and Melanomas with lots of annotated images and quizzes to reinforce your teaching. We will discuss them in detail in our advanced course.

Learn More or Register
Learn More or Register

Certificate of Advanced Dermatoscopy
(Module 3)

Date: 14th August 2021

It is our pleasure at Skin Cancer Symposiums to bring you Professor Cliff Rosendahl from the University of Queensland, Australia and Associate Professor Amanda Oakley from the University of Auckland, New Zealand.

As doctors, we are often the first and sometimes the only ones to see our patient’s skin. But we have little training and hence most of us, little confidence in confidently diagnosing skin lesions. How can we improve our confidence? The best way, without doubt, is with training in dermatoscopy which will help you recognise skin cancers earlier and with greater precision.

Traditional dermatoscopy courses have been complicated and difficult to follow due to the teaching of numerous complex algorithms at the same time. Skin Cancer Symposiums has created a simplified approach using what is increasingly recognised as the two most user friendly algorithms (one for pigmented lesions and one for non-pigmented lesions) to deliver a unique world-class teaching event. Professor Cliff Rosendahl, the co-author of ‘Chaos and Clues’ and ‘Pigment without Prediction’, breaks down dermatoscopy teaching into simple, easy to follow algorithms. Professor Amanda Oakley, the founder of the world-famous dermatology resource Dermnet will be adding to Cliff’s insights.

In addition Dr Chris Boberg and Dr Andrew MacGill will provide practical talks on the day to day application of dermatoscopy.

The interactive presentations take you through a sequence of “black and white” enquiries of your observations to help you determine if a lesion is benign or malignant. The decision to excise or not is then followed by “how to make a specific diagnoses” for each benign and malignant lesion (nevus, solar lentigo, dermatofibroma, melanoma, SCC, BCC etc).

The Certificate in Advanced Dermatoscopy is a carefully orchestrated educational process that ensures you develop a solid footing in dermatoscopy for the safe clinical management of skin cancers.

This unique course is highly rated and runs in London, Melbourne, California and Auckland with over 1000 participants to date (GP, surgeons, dermatologists and nurses) giving close to 5/5 reviews.

Our course will cover:

The importance of using a dermatoscope in general practice is now well recognised. The dermatoscope is a more useful tool than any other tool that might adorn your metaphorical white coat. This brief talk describes how to use your dermatoscope correctly, the usefulness of using both the polarised and non-polarised modes on the dermatoscope, as well the pros and cons of contact and non-contact dermatoscopy. Professor Cliff Rosendahl.

Whilst the perfect full and systematic skin check isn’t always possible in the context of a GP appointment it will provide you with the gold standard which you can use for patients at high risk who agree to return for an appointment purely dedicated to a “skin check”. Professor Cliff Rosendahl.

Dermatoscopy has evolved from subjective and confusing metaphorical language into an objective “teachable” descriptive language (revised pattern analysis). Cliff is a pioneer in this area of dermatoscopy will discuss the fundamental building blocks of dermatoscopic language, and how these basic building blocks can combine into benign and malignant patterns and their biologic symmetry or asymmetry. Professor Cliff Rosendahl.

Professor Amanda Oakley a world expert in dermatoscopy will talk about how to identify common melanocytic naevi. This talk is aimed at teaching the key clinical and dermatoscopic features of nevi, in particular how dermatoscopic elements combine to form symmetrical patterns. She will discuss the concepts of Chaos of Pattern and Chaos of Colour in relation to naevi. Recognising benign lesions is a fundamental skill and will reduce the number of unnecessay excisions or referrals you make. Professor Amanda Oakley.

Professor Amanda Oakley, who has been educating dermatologists and GPs in dermatoscopy in NZ and around the world for a decade or more, will present a fascinating summary. This talk is aimed at teaching the key clinical and dermatoscopic features of the solar lentigo, seborrhoeic keratosis, dermatofibroma, sebaceous hyperplasia, angioma and cyst. Recognising benign lesions is a fundamental skill and will reduce the number of unnecessary excisions or referrals you make. Professor Amanda Oakley.

Chaos and Clues is an algorithm to help you diagnose what pigmented lesions need excising. The specific diagnosis isn’t required. Melanomas, SCCs and BCCs can all be pigmented or non-pigmented. Professor Cliff Rosendahl in another dynamic lecture will make all this abundantly clear and make you laugh as well! Cliff is a co-author of the Chaos and Clues algorithm. There will be quizzes throughout the presentation to reinforce key messages. You will have access to these quizzes after the symposium to act as a quick refresher course. Professor Cliff Rosendahl.

Cliff will build on his previous lecture and provide plenty of repetition with new and interesting examples of how to apply the Chaos and Clues algorithm. Professor Cliff Rosendahl.

Amanda will give you pragmatic guidelines on how (in daily practice) to manage a lesion that melanoma is in the potential differential diagnosis. Some of these lesions will require urgent attention and others can be monitored over months or even years sometimes. These decisions are often based on your clinical assessment (nodular or flat, rate of change etc). Amanda will also discuss surgical margins for excision of any lesion that melanoma is a possibility (regardless of how remote). Also how to identify patients high risk of developing melanoma and how to manage these patients (advice re self-surveillance, and frequency of medical review). The role of sentinel node biopsies and the effectiveness of the latest treatment regimes for patients with metastatic melanoma is forever changing. Amanda will provide a brief update. Professor Amanda Oakley.

Certificate of Advanced Dermatoscopy
(Module 4)

Date: 15th August 2021

It is our pleasure at Skin Cancer Symposiums to bring you Professor Cliff Rosendahl from the University of Queensland, Australia and Associate Professor Amanda Oakley from the University of Auckland, New Zealand.

As doctors, we are often the first and sometimes the only ones to see our patient’s skin. But we have little training and hence most of us, little confidence in confidently diagnosing skin lesions. How can we improve our confidence? The best way, without doubt, is with training in dermatoscopy which will help you recognise skin cancers earlier and with greater precision.

Traditional dermatoscopy courses have been complicated and difficult to follow due to the teaching of numerous complex algorithms at the same time. Skin Cancer Symposiums has created a simplified approach using what is increasingly recognised as the two most user friendly algorithms (one for pigmented lesions and one for non-pigmented lesions) to deliver a unique world-class teaching event. Professor Cliff Rosendahl, the co-author of ‘Chaos and Clues’ and ‘Pigment without Prediction’, breaks down dermatoscopy teaching into simple, easy to follow algorithms. Professor Amanda Oakley, the founder of the world-famous dermatology resource Dermnet will be adding to Cliff’s insights.

In addition Dr Chris Boberg and Dr Andrew MacGill will provide practical talks on the day to day application of dermatoscopy.

The interactive presentations take you through a sequence of “black and white” enquiries of your observations to help you determine if a lesion is benign or malignant. The decision to excise or not is then followed by “how to make a specific diagnoses” for each benign and malignant lesion (nevus, solar lentigo, dermatofibroma, melanoma, SCC, BCC etc).

The Certificate in Advanced Dermatoscopy is a carefully orchestrated educational process that ensures you develop a solid footing in dermatoscopy for the safe clinical management of skin cancers.

This unique course is highly rated and runs in London, Melbourne, California and Auckland with over 1000 participants to date (GP, surgeons, dermatologists and nurses) giving close to 5/5 reviews.

Our course will cover:

Prediction without Pigment is our preferred algorithm for diagnosing non-pigmented lesions. In this lecture you will get lots of repetition on the dermatoscopy of non-pigmented lesions. These can include naevi, melanomas, basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). This is an amazing lecture given with humour and passion by Professor Cliff Rosendahl who is a co-author of the ‘Prediction without Pigment’ algorithm. There will be quizzes throughout the presentation to reinforce key messages. You will have access to these quizzes after the symposium to act as a quick refresher course. Professor Cliff Rosendahl.

Squamous Cell Carcinomas (SCC) are the second most common skin cancer and can be lethal. This lecture will cover the dermatoscopic features of SCC, SCC insitu and actinic keratosis. There will be quizzes throughout the presentation to reinforce key messages. You will have access to these quizzes after the symposium to act as a quick refresher course.

As with the preceding talk this talk goes beyond deciding if the lesion is benign or malignant and drills down to the specific diagnosis of BCCs. Fundamental management options will also be discussed Professor Cliff Rosendhal.

The face and acral regions are special locations with additional features to look for to aid in your decision-making process. This talk will discuss the specific dermatoscopic features of lentigo maligna, pigmented actinic keratoses, solar lentigo, and pigmented acral lesions. Professor Cliff Rosendahl.

This talk will outline high yield, useful tips and tricks for everyday practice.

Case examples of common clinical scenarios. When to monitor, when to biospy, why one person’s naevus is another person’s melanoma — a similar lesion on different patients will require different management strategies (signature naevi, new naevi in a young versus an older person, Spitz naevi etc). The interpretation of histology reports and the myth of the dysplastic naevus will also be discussed. Professor Amanda Oakley and Professor Cliff Rosendahl

We will use this time to answer any questions and to clarify topics taught.

Learn More or Register
Learn More or Register

Pricing

Certificate of Advanced Dermatoscopy (Module 2 and 3)

1695Excluding GST
  • FREE MoleScope II Dermatoscope (value $440 excluding GST)
  • FREE access to the Certificate of Fundamental Dermatoscopy Online course if you register before 17th January 2021
  • FREE textbook Dermatoscopy and Skin Cancer: A handbook for hunters of skin cancer and melanoma
  • FREE 100 Pre-Paid Dermengine Consults valued at $500
  • 14th and 15th August 2021 (2 days)
  • Registrar pricing: $1495
  • University of Auckland – Owen G Glenn Building
  • Early Bird lasts till 17th of January 2021
  • $1595 + GST without dermatoscope
Learn More

Discounts Q & A

  • Nurses/Nurse Practitioners can take advantage of the registrar pricing
  • If you did not want a dermatoscope, we can deduct $100 + GST off the purchase price (use code NODERMATOSCOPE at checkout)

Reviews

” Great organisation, fantastic presenters, dermatoscope discount was awesome – whole conference had a relaxed and comfortable feel to it “

NZ GP Symposium 2017

” Kept it very relevant to level of general practice “

NZ GP Symposium 2017

” Great variety of presentations, passionate and highly professional presenters with good humour “

NZ GP Symposium 2017

” Lots of pictures , lots of reinforcement. Very clear and engaging speakers “

NZ GP Symposium 2017

” Specialists were very clinically based, exceptionally so, really appreciated. This was further supported by GP expert presenters “

NZ GP Symposium 2017

” One of the best workshops I have been on. Privilege to be taught by such great teachers. Very well done to the organisers. “

NZ GP Symposium 2017 Participant

” Kept it very relevant to level of general practice “

NZ GP Symposium 2017 Participant

” Provided attendees with pre-symposium reading and video material. Excellent panel of speakers including advertorial speakers who kept everyone in the room until the very end! Good opportunities to interact with the panellists. Slido actually made me ask two questions I may have otherwise be too embarrassed to ask “

NZ GP Symposium 2017

” Learnt so much. Content was well delivered and appropriate to our level. Enjoyed having the tests at regular intervals throughout the course and also great to have audience questions answered promptly. Presenters really approachable after lectures. Great course!! “

NZ GP Symposium 2017

” The dermatoscopy and surgical sessions were really good. I found Cliff Rosendahl to be very entertaining!! Both he and Amanda are a fountain of information, and Chris and Andrew had good tips for GPs and common sense suggestions “

NZ GP Symposium 2017

” Probably one of the best skin symposiums I have attended! Loved the primary care focus. Great interactive sessions and very approachable and funny presenters. “

NZ GP Symposium 2017

Any Questions? Send us an email and we will get back to you as soon as possible!