Scottish Medical Training

GMC Reference: NOS/406

Programme description:

Many dermatology programmes are rotational which covers training but means that you are not in one place for very long. This can make doing research, audit, etc very difficult.  We have a small unit with 3 Specialist trainees and although we cover a wide area we are all concentrated on one site so that there is continuity to the learning environment and flexibility to adapt to individual training needs. There is exposure at peripheral general and community based hospitals but also working alongside the University of Aberdeen and Institute of Medical Science offers advantages. The Foresterhill campus is reputed as one of the largest single health campuses in Europe.

Specialty Information:  

As of September 2019 we have 6 substantive consultants (not all of which are full time) with plans to recruit further substantive consultants. There are also 2 GPSTs rotating through the department. In Aberdeen we have medical and surgical dermatology interests represented with specialist biologic clinics, patch testing, skin cancer, hyperhidrosis, laser, PDT and surgical lists. Mohs experience is via the regional service in NHS Tayside. Our inpatients are managed in the emergency care centre with excellent general medical support. There is a 5 day on call service (from 09.00-17.00h) which provides a broad exposure to both adult and pediatric presentations. We have strong links with allied medical and surgical specialties, and our trainees enjoy attachments of various lengths to gain all curriculum competencies.

Where is the training deleivered?

The training will be delivered in NHS Grampian for all parts of their training, trainees will stay under NHS Grampian contract terms and conditions. 

We have ongoing commercial and non-commercial research in the department, with specialist nurse support. All registrars have the opportunity to become investigators on trials during their training and we are working with Research & Development to expand this further as staffing allows. The university also offers additional exposure to both taught and research degrees if this would be of interest to individual trainees.

There is exposure at peripheral general and community based hospitals but also working alongside the University of Aberdeen and Institute of Medical Science offers advantages. The Foresterhill campus is reputed as one of the largest single health campuses in Europe. Research opportunities are on our doorstep with many active collaborations in progress. All trainees complete Good Clinical Practice courses at the Research & Development department, University of Aberdeen. Previous trainees have received the UKDCTN fellowship, which offers great research experience.

Audit is an essential part of medical practice. Trainees must complete at least one audit or quality improvement project per year. A regular research and audit meeting gives trainees the opportunity to keep up to date with projects within the department, and present their work when required.

Involvement in teaching is strongly encouraged. We have 4th year medical students in the outpatient department every week, and trainees are also designated an annual lecture to deliver to the 2nd year students. It is possible to participate in teaching sessions for FY, CMT and GIM doctors, as well as GPs and GPSTs. Previous trainees have helped to develop the national curriculum for Physician Associate students in Dermatology, and have set up teaching programmes for junior doctors within the main hospital.  Postgraduate degrees in medical education and clinical teaching fellowships are attainable locally.   Within the department, a monthly teaching programme has been recently reinstated, and all trainees attend regular East of Scotland teaching days, which rotate between Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen.

Trainees have been encouraged to become involved with leadership and management ideas at an early stage. We are open to ideas from all trainees, and encourage involvement in service improvement. We are a forward-thinking department, open to new and efficient ways of working that maintain excellent clinical care.

Training will be delivered at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. Trainees will have opportunity to attend peripheral clinics in Grampian and will be encouraged to attend Mohs surgery sessions in Tayside as required for their training.