LEADING PRIMARY CARE SOCIETY LAUNCHES WORLD FIRST

The Primary Care Dermatology Society (PCDS), the primary care society for GPs with an interest in dermatology and skin surgery, has launched a new website which is the first resource of its kind in the world to link images directly to diagnostics via an image atlas.

Providing a wealth of resources for its members, affiliated organisations and interested members of the public, website resources include a primary and intermediate care voice in all aspects of dermatology and skin surgery and like the Society itself reflects the growing importance that GPs are attaching to these specialities.

The image atlas currently includes both general dermatology and skin lesion tables that can be used as a diagnostic tool; each completed condition provides a diagnostic tutorial, discussion of some management aspects and high quality images with further information on the management of these conditions found in the guidelines and resources sections of the website.

The website offers a range of skin surgery video clips in accordance with the PCDS skin surgery guidelines and recommendations for surgical training provided by the PCDS itself and various affiliated organisations.

Running in excess of seven educational conferences a year, the PCDS aims to encourage interest and help establish and promote a clearer understanding of dermatology in primary care. Next year’s spring meeting focuses on paediatric dermatology and takes place on 27^th March at the Marriott Hotel in Cardiff .  In addition to its usual conferences the PCDS are also running a one-day dermoscopy meeting in association with Jonathan Bowling, Dermoscopy UK , open to both GPs and Dermatologists, on 26^th February 2009 in Manchester .

The Society membership which now exceeds 1200 from across the UK and Ireland and is affiliated to the British Association of Dermatologists and the Royal College of General Practitioners, was established based on the fact that around 10-15% of the primary care workload involves dermatology and that many common skin conditions are managed entirely within the community. In addition, the development of GPwSIs in dermatology requires a voice and forum for support and discussion. The PCDS is ideally placed to provide this especially through their new internet representation www.pcds.org.uk.

(15/1/09)