What is an accredited skin cancer doctor?

An accredited skin cancer doctor is a GP who has completed significant additional studies and passed rigorous assessments in the diagnosis, treatment and management of skin cancer.

According to the Skin Cancer College of Australasia, accreditation is:

• “A way for patients, the wider community and other medical professionals to easily identify doctors who have advanced skills and knowledge in the diagnosis, treatment and management of skin cancer.

• A robust and credible system of practitioner credentialing managed by a peak professional body and based on rigorous training and assessment.

• A means to introduce rigour and integrity to the term Skin Cancer Doctor.” ¹

Accredited doctors must undergo studies in skin cancer medicine, skin cancer surgery and dermoscopy, usually taking two years or more.

The doctors working at Spot Check Clinic are either accredited or working toward accreditation.

Scope of practice

Doctors holding Accredited Skin Cancer Doctor status are able to:

1. “Obtain a patient history and perform a comprehensive skin examination of the patient, utilising dermoscopy as a diagnostic aid, to identify lesions which may be skin cancer.
2. Undertake further surgical diagnostic procedures such as biopsy and excision of skin lesions as required.
3. Advise patients of the treatment modalities, both surgical and non-surgical, which are recommended for the various forms of skin cancer.
4. Repair surgical wound defects resulting from skin lesion excision. This will vary from practitioner to practitioner according to their knowledge, experience and training. At a minimum standard they are able to repair elliptical defects amenable to direct linear closure on most areas of the body. Fellows of the College and some more experienced Accredited Skin Cancer Doctors are able to undertake complex closures using flap and graft surgical techniques.
5. Develop individual patient management plans including education and prevention strategies and undertake follow-up of skin cancer patients.”²

References

1. Skin Cancer College Australasia. Accreditation. https://www.skincancercollege.org/accreditation/
2. Skin Cancer College Australasia. Accredited Skin Cancer Doctor: Scope of Practice (version 1.3, January 2021). https://www.skincancercollege.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Accredited-Skin-Cancer-Doctor-Scope-of-Practice-JAN-2021.pdf