P069 Outcomes from a pilot regional primary care dermatology education programme

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop, deliver and evaluate a regional programme of dermatology education for primary care clinicians. Initial consultation with primary care leads and secondary care consultant dermatologists interested in education began in September 2023. We subsequently agreed a format and promoted the programme through general practitioner (GP) training hubs, integrated care system (ICS) circulation lists and primary care networks. Sessions took place virtually through Microsoft Teams in the evenings from September 2024 to April 2025 chaired by a GP lead and delivered by a consultant dermatologist, giving the opportunity for questions and interactive discussion. Feedback questionnaires were completed after the pilot sessions. The content of the sessions was summarized and circulated to all participants with responses to frequently asked questions. Participants were also signposted the regional NHS futures dermatology improvement site, where we developed a resources page with collated information on local and national dermatology training opportunities and useful sites such as pcds.org.uk and the British College of Dermatology. Overall, more than 900 primary care clinicians attended – 30% were GPs, 20% advanced nurse practitioners, 15% pharmacists, 12% physicians associates and the rest other allied health professionals and GP trainees from every ICS in the region. The postpilot evaluation used a numerical rating scale to assess usefulness. Participants reported improved confidence in recognizing and managing common conditions, particularly differentiating benign vs. malignant skin lesions, dermatological emergencies and deciding when to treat in primary care or when to refer. Universally, the participants who responded agreed that continuing the programme would be ­beneficial. Our pilot shows that a relatively simple didactic, virtual programme delivered with no extra resources can improve the knowledge base in primary care on a regional level. A similar model could be used in other regions.