HealthCert Insights – A Podcast for Doctors, Nurses and Healthcare Professionals

Atopic dermatitis in skin of colour

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 16:51:30 +1000

Are you confident diagnosing and managing eczema in patients with skin of colour (SOC)?

Atopic dermatitis is one of the most common skin conditions in Australia, yet it often goes unrecognised or is underestimated in patients with SOC. The classic signs we rely on (bright erythema, flexural distribution) may look very different in patients with SOC. The result of this is missed diagnoses, delayed treatment, and real quality-of-life consequences for your patients.

This webinar and Q&A with Brisbane-based specialist dermatologist Dr Stephanie Rea takes GPs beyond the textbook to explore how atopic dermatitis truly presents across all skin types.

Drawing on relevant clinical cases, Dr Rea shares practical tools to sharpen your diagnostic confidence, navigate the pitfalls, and implement culturally informed management strategies you can put into practice from the very next consultation.

Delivered in collaboration with CeraVe, the session teaches you how to:

Spot the clinical clues of atopic dermatitis across various skin phototypes
Recognise follicular accentuation, papular and discoid variants, and post-inflammatory pigment changes
Avoid common diagnostic pitfalls and not-to-miss differentials
Understand the role of ceramides and skin barrier repair in this patient population
Choose appropriate skin care and prescribe topical and systemic therapies for treating atopic dermatitis in SOC

The webinar includes Q&A and case discussions.

Prefer a visual format? Watch this podcast here.

About Dr Stephanie Rea

MBBS (Hons), MPH, MMed, FACD

Dr Stephanie Rea is a specialist Dermatologist and a Fellow of the Australasian College of Dermatologists. She holds dual Masters in Public Health and Sexual and Reproductive Health. Dr Rea runs a complex medical Dermatology clinic at the Princess Alexandra Hospital and is the clinical lead of the Combined Dermatology and Sexual Health Multidisciplinary Clinic at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital. She maintains an academic appointment as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Queensland and is involved in rural outreach clinics in Far North Queensland. Dr Rea has a private practice at South East Dermatology in Annerley. Dr Rea has a strong interest in medical dermatology including eczema, psoriasis, acne, genital dermatology, autoimmune related skin disorders and skin cancer.

Next steps in your learning journey

🎓 Certificate Courses in General Dermatology
Deep-dive into our university-assured, structured pathway from foundation to subspecialisation in GP dermatology.
➡️ Explore program >

🎓 Short Courses in General Dermatology
Explore short, single-topic CPD courses in focused area of dermatology. Complete in less than 10 hours, from $195.
➡️ Browse Short Courses >

🎓 HealthCert 365 subscription
Prefer flexible learning across many topics? Access 4,000+ CPD hours on-demand with HealthCert 365 — any topic, any time, one flat annual fee.
➡️ Discover HealthCert 365 >

What protects you when complications occur in aesthetic practice?

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 17:19:13 +1000

Complications are one of the biggest sources of stress in aesthetic practice, not just because of the clinical risk, but because of what happens in the hours and days that follow.

In this second instalment of a two-part series on The Aesthetic Shift podcast, NP Kelly Beasy is joined again by solicitor and former AHPRA investigator David Gardner to unpack what actually protects clinicians when things go wrong.

What stands out in this conversation is how often the greatest risk doesn’t come from the complication itself, but from what happens next: how clinicians think, document, communicate, and escalate in real time.

This episode explores the emotional pattern many practitioners experience, and how that can influence decision-making in the first critical hours.

The discussion focuses on the immediate post-complication window:

What should be documented straight away
Language that can unintentionally create medicolegal vulnerability
When apology is appropriate, and how to approach it safely
Clear triggers for escalation or referral
When to involve your MDO without delay

A key focus is what “defensible management” looks like in real-world scenarios, including delayed vascular compromise and unexpected swelling.

The conversation also explores what often drives complaints after the initial event is under control, particularly communication breakdowns, documentation gaps, and the amplifying effect of social media.

David closes by identifying the most common mistake clinicians make, and what simple system every aesthetic clinic should have in place before anything goes wrong.

Complications are part of aesthetic medicine. What protects you is not perfection, but preparation in documentation, escalation, and communication. Tune into the podcast for the full discussion.

Prefer a visual format? Watch this podcast here.

Next steps in your learning journey

🎓 Short Courses in Aesthetic Medicine
Explore single-topic CPD courses in focused areas of cosmetic medicine for GPs and nurses. Complete in less than 10 hours, from $195.
➡️ Browse Short Courses >

🎓 Certificate Courses in Aesthetic Medicine
Dive deeper with our university-assured, structured Professional Diploma pathway to elevate your skills in primary care aesthetic medicine.
➡️ Explore Certificate program >

🎓 HealthCert 365 subscription
Prefer flexible learning across many topics? Access 4,000+ CPD hours on-demand with HealthCert 365 — anytime, any topic, one flat annual fee.
➡️ Discover HealthCert 365 >

The Aesthetic Shift series

The Aesthetic Shift podcast is for cosmetic practitioners looking to evolve, diversify, and future-proof their aesthetic practice. Each episode explores core cosmetic topics to help you broaden your offering and build a more resilient practice! Host Kelly Beasy is a Nurse Practitioner, clinic owner, and cosmetic medicine trainer at KB Aesthetix with 20 years of nursing experience and 10+ years’ experience in the aesthetic industry. She also offers a 1:1 mentorship program for clinicians.

Financial literacy for GPs: Why it matters more than ever

Tue, 26 May 2026 18:00:06 +1000

Most GPs spend years developing clinical expertise, but sometimes little time is devoted to understanding the financial side of a medical career. Yet financial stress and uncertainty around income can quietly influence workload, career decisions, burnout, and overall job satisfaction.

In this episode of Focused Practice Conversations, practice operations expert Matt Woollard speaks with Dr Dev Raga about why financial literacy matters for doctors, and the common blind spots many clinicians face.

Drawing on his experience as both a GP and host of the Dev Raga Personal Finance podcast, Dev explores the realities many doctors encounter but rarely discuss openly. The conversation looks at how financial uncertainty can influence day-to-day practice, why many clinicians feel they are “behind” despite working hard, and what changes when GPs gain greater clarity and confidence around money.

Importantly, this episode is not about complicated investing strategies or extreme budgeting advice. Instead it focuses on realistic concepts relevant to busy clinicians working in general practice, including:

Common financial mistakes GPs make early in their careers
Small actions that can have a significant long-term impact
How financial literacy can support flexibility and career sustainability
Why understanding money is increasingly important across the healthcare system

Whether you are early in your GP career or simply looking to make more informed financial decisions, this episode offers a thoughtful starting point.

About Dr Dev Raga

Dr Dev Raga is a Melbourne-based medical practitioner and the host of the popular Dev Raga Personal Finance podcast (formerly known as my millennial money medical). He makes money concepts simple for busy professionals. Listen to his podcast here (new episodes every Wednesday).

Next steps in your learning journey

🎓 Certificate Courses
Deep-dive into a university-assured, structured pathway from foundation to subspecialisation in 20+ special interest fields.
➡️ Explore Certificate Courses >

🎓 Short Courses
Explore 400 short, online CPD modules in focused topics — and learn exactly what you need, when you need it. Complete in less than 10 hours from $95.
➡️ Browse single-topic courses >

Focused Practice Conversations series

HealthCert Education's Focused Practice Conversations podcast series explores how GPs build focused areas of practice, why they chose that path, what changed in their clinic, and whether going deeper into one niche was ultimately worth it. Hosted by Matt Woollard.

Where GPs get exposed in routine skin cancer checks

Sat, 16 May 2026 01:19:06 +1000

A skin check might feel routine, but it’s often where small decisions can carry the most risk.

In this webinar and Q&A session, David Gardner (solicitor and former AHPRA investigator) offers an inside look at where GPs can feel exposed in everyday skin cancer consultations.

Through real-world scenarios, David walks through how seemingly straightforward cases can become more complex from a billing, documentation, and patient expectation perspective.

Delivered in collaboration with AHPD, this webinar explores what it means to stay confident and defensible in your day-to-day practice.

The session includes Q&A and case discussions.

Prefer a visual format? Watch this podcast here.

Next steps in your learning journey

🎓 New Short Course in Skin Cancer Compliance
Coming soon: A new case-based short course exploring where GPs can become unexpectedly exposed in everyday skin cancer practice. Through real-world scenarios, the course unpacks grey areas around billing, documentation, patient communication, consent and defensibility — with guidance designed to support confident day-to-day decision-making in primary care.
➡️ Register your interest >

You might also be interested in...

🎓 Short Courses in Skin Cancer
Explore single-topic CPD courses for focused learning in skin cancer medicine. Complete in less than 10 hours from $195.
➡️ Browse Short Courses >

🎓 Certificate Courses in Skin Cancer
Dive deeper with HealthCert's university-assured, structured pathway from foundation to subspecialisation to elevate your skin cancer knowledge.
➡️ Explore full program >

🎓 Ethical and Regulatory Obligations
AHPD provides practical advice on your professional obligations and crucial CPD on non-clinical topics which are all too often overlooked. Their aim is to reduce the risks you face as a health practitioner and to help you future-proof your career.
➡️ Discover non-clinical education >

Iron deficiency in general practice: HealthCert GP Update, 2026

Fri, 08 May 2026 18:27:30 +1000

In this HealthCert GP Update, Dr Simone Gonzo guides you through the management of iron deficiency in general practice, covering diagnosis, treatment, and iron infusions (including procedural steps and billing) — providing a clear, practical overview tailored for busy GPs.

What you will learn

Iron deficiency is a very common presentation in general practice, yet it is often underdiagnosed, undertreated, or managed inconsistently. From vague fatigue to complex comorbidities, getting the diagnosis and management right can significantly change patient outcomes.

In this HealthCert GP Update webinar, Dr Simone Gonzo guides you through:

A real-world approach to diagnosing and managing iron deficiency in primary care
Key clinical indicators and interpret iron studies with confidence
Evidence-based management strategies tailored to different patient groups
When and how to initiate iron infusions safely in general practice
Billing requirements and documentation for iron infusion procedures

Watch the webinar here to translate evolving evidence into clear, day-to-day clinical decisions you can apply immediately.

Next steps in your learning journey

🎓 Certificate Courses
Deep-dive into a university-assured, structured Certificate pathway from foundation to subspecialisation, across 20+ special interest fields.
➡️ Explore Certificate Courses >

🎓 Short Courses
Explore 400+ short, focused, single-topic CPD courses — and learn exactly what you need, when you need it. Complete in less than 10 hours from $195.
➡️ Browse Short Courses >

Skin cancer vigilance in aesthetic practice

Thu, 07 May 2026 15:22:09 +1000

In aesthetic practice, it is easy to focus on what is visible and cosmetic: pigmentation, sun damage, redness, texture. But as NP Kelly Beasy and Dr Dianne King highlight in this episode of The Aesthetic Shift podcast, appearances can be misleading.

This conversation explores a critical overlap in modern practice: aesthetic treatments and skin cancer vigilance. As aesthetic services expand across general practice and nursing-led clinics, so too does the responsibility to recognise when a lesion is not simply “cosmetic”.

Dr King shares insights from decades of experience spanning general practice, GP dermatology, dermoscopy, and skin cancer medicine. Her message is clear: without a structured approach to skin assessment, including appropriate history-taking and lesion recognition, there is a real risk of treating or altering lesions that require medical investigation.

The discussion focuses on clinical realities, including:

Subtle facial melanomas that may mimic benign pigmentation
The risk of altering lesions with lasers, IPL, or cryotherapy before diagnosis
Key history and visual cues that should prompt referral
The importance of dermoscopy skills and clear referral pathways in aesthetic settings

Rather than discouraging aesthetic care, the episode reinforces how skin cancer literacy strengthens it, improving safety, clinical confidence, and patient trust.

For GPs, nurses, and aesthetic practitioners working at this intersection, this conversation is a timely reminder that “cosmetic” and “clinical” are often closer than they appear.

Prefer a visual format? Watch this podcast here.

Next steps in your learning journey

The Aesthetic Shift series

A roadmap from skin cancer GP to aesthetic practice

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 23:37:50 +1000

Many skin cancer GPs reach a point where they begin asking bigger questions about their scope, sustainability, and long-term career direction.

In this webinar, delivered in collaboration with Hugel Aesthetics, Dr Jimmy Wang shares his journey from established skin cancer GP to leading aesthetic practitioner.

Dr Wang began his career deeply embedded in skin cancer medicine. Over time, he recognised both the clinical overlap and the business opportunity within aesthetic medicine. What followed was not an overnight pivot, but a deliberate transition built on procedural skill alignment, patient demand, and structured business planning.

In this session he unpacks:

Why he chose to expand beyond skin cancer
The clinical skill crossover between skin procedures and aesthetic medicine
How he evaluated financial risk before making the shift
The systems changes required at a practice level
What surprised him most during the transition

For skin cancer doctors who are curious about aesthetics but unsure how to approach it without disrupting their current model, this session offers insights grounded in real experience.

The session includes Q&A and case discussions.

This webinar is supported by an educational grant from Hugel Aesthetics. Content remains educational in nature.

Prefer a visual format? Watch this podcast here.

About Dr Jimmy Wang, BPharm (Hons), MBBS, FRACGP, FACCSM

Dr Jimmy Wang obtained his medical degree from The University of Queensland in 2011 and later completed the Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. He is a Fellow of the Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery and Medicine. Over his career he has undertaken extensive training in cosmetic medicine, including facial anatomy, the application of injectable treatments, energy-based devices and laser therapies.

Next steps in your learning journey

Beyond “general” practice: How GPs build depth across multiple areas

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:18:10 +1000

What does it actually mean to be a “generalist” in 2026? In this episode of Focused Practice Conversations, practice operations expert Matt Woollard sits down with general practitioner Dr Anoop Jalota to explore how general practice is evolving, and how many GPs are building depth across multiple clinical areas without formally specialising.

This conversation is about how day-to-day general practice has shifted over time, and what a modern GP’s workload can really look like.

The episode unpacks:

Whether the idea of being a “generalist” still holds, or if most GPs are naturally moving towards areas of focus
How clinical focus areas (mental health, chronic disease, weight management) develop over time — often driven by patient demand rather than deliberate planning
What changes when patients begin seeking you out for specific expertise
Why weight management is becoming a larger part of general practice
What GPs are seeing in consults, and how this area intersects with chronic disease and long-term care
The realities of balancing breadth and depth across multiple interests
Deciding what to continue and what to step away from as your practice evolves
Whether developing focused areas makes practice more sustainable or more complex
The role of teaching and education in building credibility and shaping clinical work
Whether GPs need to “specialise” to remain relevant in modern practice

If you are starting to notice patterns in your own consults or thinking about going deeper in a particular area, this episode offers a grounded, real-world perspective.

Prefer a visual format? Watch here.

Next steps in your learning journey

🎓 Certificate Courses
Deep-dive into a university-assured, structured pathway from foundation to subspecialisation in 20+ special interest fields.
➡️ Explore Certificate Courses >

🎓 Single-topic courses
Explore 400 short, online CPD modules in focused topics — and learn exactly what you need, when you need it. Complete in less than 10 hours from $95.
➡️ Browse single-topic courses >

Focused Practice Conversations series

Consent in aesthetic medicine: What actually protects you?

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 21:28:32 +1000

In aesthetic practice, consent is rarely the issue; it is the quality of that consent that determines whether you are protected if something goes wrong.

In this episode of The Aesthetic Shift, NP Kelly Beasy is joined by solicitor and former AHPRA investigator David Gardner to unpack where clinicians are most exposed and what defensible consent really looks like in practice.

Why this matters for clinicians

Aesthetic complaints rarely come down to technical error alone. More often, they stem from a mismatch between what the patient expected and what was actually documented.

This conversation explores why signed consent forms often fall short, how treating patient desire (not disease) shifts your risk profile, and what “informed consent” really means from a regulatory perspective.

Where clinicians get caught out

Common pressure points include vague patient requests, incomplete documentation of expectations, and situations where the clinical outcome is sound but the patient is still dissatisfied.

David also shares insights into what holds up when a patient says, “I did not know that could happen,” when to pause or decline treatment, and whether refunds truly reduce risk.

Prefer a visual format? Watch this podcast here.

Next steps in your learning journey

The Aesthetic Shift series

What actually builds your skin cancer diagnostic skills over time?

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 16:05:27 +1000

Most GPs see suspicious skin lesions every day. The harder part is deciding, with confidence, which ones need action, which can be monitored, and which are safe to leave alone.

In this episode of Life by a Thousand Cuts, A/Prof Tony Dicker and A/Prof John Pyne unpack what genuinely builds diagnostic accuracy in day-to-day practice. The conversation covers:

Why volume matters

Not in a rushed, high-throughput sense, but in repeated, deliberate exposure. Over time, pattern recognition sharpens, and subtle lesions become easier to spot.

Why your role matters

A/Prof Dicker and A/Prof Pyne make a clear distinction between being the “diagnostic brain” versus trying to do everything. High-performing clinics are often structured so the GP focuses on assessment and decision-making, with systems and staff supporting everything around it.

How you can measure what you're doing

They point to simple but underused markers of performance, like your ratio of melanoma in situ to invasive melanoma, and the Breslow thickness of lesions you detect. These are practical ways to reflect on whether you are picking things up early enough.

Why tools only help if they build on experience

Dermoscopy, and later confocal microscopy, are framed as extensions of clinical thinking, not shortcuts. Each adds another layer, but none replace the need for solid fundamentals.

Prefer a visual format? Watch this podcast here.

Next steps in your learning journey

🎓 Micro-Courses in Skin Cancer
Explore short, single-topic CPD modules for focused learning in skin cancer medicine and surgery. Complete in less than 10 hours from only $95.
➡️ Browse Micro-Courses >

🎓 Certificate Courses in Skin Cancer
Explore our university-assured, structured pathway to elevate your knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer.
➡️ Explore full program >

Life by a Thousand Cuts

This podcast series is designed to help you enhance your clinical decision-making, procedural skills, and confidence in skin cancer management. Focus on real-world cases, surgical techniques and tips, journal article reviews, diagnostic and management insights, and guest interviews with GPs and specialists.

From referring to performing: The real ROI of procedural upskilling

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 21:05:23 +1000

Many GPs regularly refer procedures out. It is efficient, familiar, and often feels like the safest option in a busy clinic. But what happens when you start bringing those procedures back in-house?

In this first episode of HealthCert's new podcast series, Focused Practice Conversations, practice operations expert Matt Woollard speaks with specialist GP Dr Raj Selvarajan about the real-world impact and ROI of procedural upskilling.

A different way to think about education

One of the more practical reframes discussed is this: education is not a cost centre, it is a capability investment. Rather than thinking in CPD cycles, Dr Selvarajan encourages GPs to zoom out and consider five-year career arcs, and what incremental skill-building can compound into over time.

What changes inside the clinic

Using skin cancer as an example, the shift from referring to performing can influence more than just billings. You may start to notice less referral leakage, better use of treatment rooms, greater continuity of care, and a gradual change in how your sessions are structured. These shifts tend to build quietly, then accelerate as confidence grows.

Adding a procedural stream

The conversation also explores what happens when GPs introduce a dedicated procedural list, such as vasectomy, and why many hesitate to take that first step.

Prefer a visual format? Watch here.

Next steps in your learning journey

🎓 Certificate Courses
Deep-dive into a university-assured, structured pathway from foundation to subspecialisation in 20+ special interest fields.
➡️ Explore Certificate Courses >

Focused Practice Conversations series

Melanoma pathophysiology, UVA exposure and prevention

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 21:24:22 +1000

Melanoma risk is not static. It is influenced by how Australians live, work, and expose their skin to ultraviolet radiation every day.

In this webinar and Q&A session, Prof Pascale Guitera (Melanoma Institute Australia) unpacks the pathophysiology of melanoma, with a focus on UVA exposure, year-round photoprotection, and what this means for everyday general practice.

Delivered in collaboration with La Roche Posay, this webinar teaches how to:

Interpret UV index information and apply it to patient counselling
Explain the role of UVA exposure in melanoma development and prevention
Advise patients on appropriate sunscreen use, including formulation and quantity
Distinguish between mineral and chemical sunscreens in clinical contexts
Understand regulatory considerations affecting sunscreen availability
Apply current Australian melanoma screening principles in general practice

If you would like a clearer framework for discussing UV exposure, risk, and screening with your patients, watch the replay to get real-world guidance you can apply immediately in clinic.

Prefer a visual format? Watch this podcast here.

About Prof Pascale Guitera

Prof Pascale Guitera is Director of the Sydney Melanoma Diagnostic Centre at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and faculty member of the Melanoma Institute Australia. She is holding her academic position at the University Of Sydney with a particular interest in new diagnosis tools for skin cancers.

Next steps in your learning journey

🎓 Micro-Courses in Skin Cancer
Explore short, single-topic CPD modules for focused learning in skin cancer medicine. Complete in less than 10 hours from $95.
➡️ Browse Micro-Courses >

🎓 Certificate Courses in Skin Cancer
Dive deeper with our university-assured, structured pathway from foundation to subspecialisation to elevate your skin cancer knowledge.
➡️ Explore full program >

Menopause treatments in general practice: HealthCert GP Update, 2026

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 09:26:32 +1000

In this HealthCert GP Update, Dr Simone Gonzo guides you through hormonal and non-hormonal treatment options for menopause in general practice — providing a clear, practical overview tailored for busy GPs.

What you will learn

Menopause presentations are increasing in complexity and expectations from patients are higher than ever. From navigating hormone therapy risks and benefits, to managing vasomotor symptoms, mood, sleep disturbance, bone health and cardiometabolic risk, GPs are often the first (and ongoing) point of care.

In this HealthCert GP Update webinar, Dr Simone Gonzo guides you through:

When and how to prescribe menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) safely
Risk stratification and contraindications
Managing women who are unsuitable for hormones
Evidence-based non-hormonal treatment options
Structuring menopause consultations in busy general practice
Practical documentation and follow-up considerations

Prefer a visual format? Watch this podcast here.

Next steps in your learning journey

🎓 Primary Certificate of Menopause & Women's Health
A three-module entry course deep-diving into midlife care for women — ideal if you are seeking a focused update. Covers menopause, post-menopause health issues, and hormonal health. Online | 30.5 hours CPD.
➡️ Explore short course >

Expert tips for improving hair disorder diagnosis

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 20:57:28 +1000

Hair and scalp concerns are increasingly common in general practice, yet diagnosing hair disorders can often feel uncertain. Many conditions appear similar at first glance, and subtle differences in history or examination can significantly alter management and prognosis.

In this webinar, Dr Ahmed Kazmi shares a structured approach to assessing hair and scalp complaints in everyday practice.

How to perform a focused yet thorough scalp and hair examination
Key history questions that can rapidly narrow differential diagnoses
How trichoscopy findings can improve diagnostic accuracy
Diagnostic pearls across common hair disorders, helping you distinguish inflammatory, scarring, and non-scarring causes of hair loss
When further investigation, biopsy, or referral may be appropriate

The webinar includes case discussions and a Q&A segment, providing practical insights that can be directly applied in general practice.

Prefer a visual format? Watch this podcast here.

Next steps in your learning journey

🎓 New Certificate Courses in Medical Trichology
Deepen your clinical confidence in the diagnosis and management of hair and scalp disorders in primary care, with our newly released Professional Certificate of Medical Trichology — developed and delivered by Dr Ahmed Kazmi and a faculty of FACD dermatologists and international experts in hair science. Take your learning further & save $200 with code PCMTR200 until 7 April.
➡️ Explore course >

When and how to introduce aesthetic devices into your clinic

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 10:04:14 +1000

For many clinicians moving into aesthetic medicine, purchasing a device can feel like a major milestone. But knowing when to invest (and how to choose the right technology for your clinic) is not always straightforward.

In this episode of The Aesthetic Shift podcast, NP Kelly Beasy speaks with Chloe Newman, a Registered Nurse with extensive experience in aesthetic medicine and clinical education. Together, they unpack the realities behind introducing devices into an aesthetic practice.

Rather than focusing purely on technology, the discussion looks at the clinical and business thinking that should guide these decisions.

In this episode, they discuss:

How Chloe’s journey into aesthetic medicine began, and what her first device purchase taught her
The signs a clinic may be ready to introduce device-based treatments
Common mistakes clinicians make when investing in devices too early
How to evaluate technology beyond the headline price tag
Ways to manage risk through leasing, trials, or shared device models
Considerations for integrating a new device into your clinic, from team training to patient education

For GPs exploring aesthetics, device-based treatments can open new clinical and business opportunities. However, as Chloe explains, success often depends less on the device itself and more on timing, strategy, and integration into an existing patient journey.

Prefer a visual format? Watch this podcast here.

Next steps in your learning journey

🎓 Single-topic courses in Aesthetic Medicine
Explore short CPD modules in focused topics in cosmetic medicine for GPs and nurses. Complete in less than 10 hours, from $95.
➡️ Browse Micro-Courses >

🎓 Certificate Courses in Aesthetic Medicine
Dive deeper with our university-assured, structured Professional Diploma pathway to elevate your skills in primary care cosmetic medicine.
➡️ Explore full program >

The Aesthetic Shift series

ADHD management in QLD general practice: HealthCert GP Update, 2026

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 09:33:34 +1000

In this HealthCert GP Update, Dr Simone Gonzo unpacks what has changed for Queensland GPs in the management of ADHD in primary care — providing a clear, practical overview tailored for busy GPs.

What you will learn

From 1 December 2025, Queensland became the first Australian state to allow suitably trained GPs to initiate, modify and continue stimulant medication for adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This represents a significant shift in scope of practice, with important clinical, regulatory and documentation considerations for GPs.

In this HealthCert GP Update webinar and Q&A, Dr Simone Gonzo walks through the practical implications of the new Queensland framework, focusing on how adult ADHD can be diagnosed, managed and reviewed safely in general practice.

Prefer a visual format? Watch this podcast here.

Next steps in your learning journey

🎓 NEW: ADHD in General Practice short course
Continue your learning in this area with our new eight-case short course, featuring real GP scenarios, practical prescribing guidance, and clear documentation and safety frameworks for the management of ADHD. $195 | Online | CPD accredited.
➡️ Coming soon — Join the waitlist >

🎓 Micro-Courses
Explore 400 short, focused, single-topic CPD modules in child health, mental health, and many more. Complete in under 10 hours, from $95.
➡️ Browse Micro-Courses >

🎓 Certificate Courses
Deep dive into a university-assured, structured pathway in Child & Adolescent Health, Mental Health, and many more.
➡️ Explore Certificate Courses >

Tutorial for deep sutures behind the knee

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 09:43:38 +1000

Closing thin skin behind the knee can be tricky, but mastering deep sutures makes all the difference.

In this episode of Life by a Thousand Cuts, A/Prof Tony Dicker walks through a real case, demonstrating his approach to closing thin skin behind the knee with deep sutures. A video demonstration accompanies the podcast.

A/Prof Dicker explains how he plans the excision, manages delicate tissue, and navigates the subtle challenges that can arise in these tight areas.

If you have faced difficult closures on the knee, calf, or shin, this tutorial offers tips you can immediately apply in your practice.

Please note: This episode includes a visual tutorial. A video version is available here for those who wish to view it.

Next steps in your learning journey

🎓 NEW Micro-Course: Introduction to the Dermatoscope
Led by A/Prof Tony Dicker, this short course introduces the dermatoscope as the clinician’s key diagnostic tool for skin examination — a practical foundation for those beginning their journey in skin cancer detection.
✅ Learn how to use the dermatoscope and capture clinical images.
🎖️ 9.5 hours CPD • Online • $195
👉 Learn more & enrol >

🎓 Certificate Courses in Skin Cancer
Explore our university-assured, structured pathway to elevate your knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer.
➡️ Explore full program

Life by a Thousand Cuts

Hair loss in primary care: Training, pitfalls & transplant realities

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 10:18:50 +1000

In this episode of HealthCert's The Aesthetic Shift podcast series, NP Kelly Beasy and specialist GP Dr Raj Selvarajan continue their conversation on hair loss management in primary care — covering upskilling, integrating hair services into general practice, and the realities of hair transplantation.

In part one, we covered the clinical assessment and diagnosis of hair loss.

Missed part one? Catch up here.

In part two, the focus shifts to the practical side of building hair services within general practice, including:

Where and how clinicians can upskill
How to start gradually and build confidence
Common early mistakes and pitfalls when entering the field
The importance of patient selection and expectation management

Kelly and Dr Selvarajan also discuss how to integrate aesthetic and hair treatments into an existing GP clinic, from structuring consults and allocating dedicated procedure days to educating staff and managing workflow.

The conversation then unpacks hair transplantation:

What is involved behind the scenes
How procedures are structured
The level of preparation required
Why aftercare and safety standards matter, particularly in the context of patients travelling overseas.

If you are curious about expanding your scope into hair medicine, or simply want a clearer picture of what is involved, this episode provides an honest, experience-based overview from someone actively practising in the space.

Prefer a visual format? Watch this podcast here.

Next steps in your learning journey

Dr Raj Selvarajan

Dr Raj Selvarajan is a Specialist General Practitioner with extensive experience across primary care, men’s health, skin cancer medicine, and aesthetic medicine. Over the years, he has built a reputation for delivering practical, patient-centred care while developing several successful clinical services in Queensland. His interest in aesthetic medicine began with a focus on evidence-based treatments that genuinely improve confidence and quality of life. This naturally led him into the world of hair loss assessment and management — an area where he saw many patients struggling with misinformation, high-cost commercial clinics, and a lack of medical guidance. Driven to change this, Dr Selvarajan undertook advanced training in hair restoration, PRP/PRF therapy, and surgical techniques, refining a model of care that is accessible, ethical, and grounded in science. His work in hair loss has since shaped the growth of his aesthetic and procedural services, from community-based cosmetic clinics to his dedicated Brisbane Hair Transplant Clinic. Across his professional roles, Dr Selvarajan remains committed to education, innovation, and empowering patients with honest, medically guided options, ensuring they receive safe, effective, and personalised treatment plans.

Learn more at www.brisbanehairtransplant.com.au and www.bemedicalcentre.com.au

The Aesthetic Shift series

Dr Moz's path into skin cancer medicine

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 10:00:00 +1000

Most doctors don’t set out to become skin cancer clinicians, but rather arrive there after a series of unexpected turns. In this episode of Life by A Thousand Cuts, Dr Mostafa "Moz" Khalafalla shares how an unconventional career path led him into skin cancer medicine, and why it has become the most satisfying part of his work.

Tune in to the conversation with A/Prof Tony Dicker, as Dr Moz shares:

Why there is no linear path into skin cancer — From obstetrics and emergency medicine to general practice, Dr Moz reflects on how each step shaped his clinical confidence and decision-making.
How dermoscopy changed everything — The dermatoscope as a diagnostic tool, the early learning curve, and why diagnostics (not just surgery) remain the most rewarding part of skin cancer work.
Balancing procedures with relationships — How skin cancer medicine allows long-term patient relationships without the intensity of full-time general practice.
Educational social media, done carefully — How Dr Moz uses short-form video to counter misinformation, with clear boundaries around consent, de-identification and medico-legal risk.
From learner to teacher — Navigating impostor syndrome, staying clinically sharp, and the responsibility that comes with teaching peers and the public.

This is a thoughtful conversation for GPs interested in dermoscopy, skin cancer medicine, and how clinical practice continues to evolve.

Prefer a visual format? Watch this podcast here.

Next steps in your learning journey

🎓 Certificate Courses in Skin Cancer
Explore our university-assured, structured pathway to elevate your knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer.
➡️ Explore full program

Life by a Thousand Cuts

A pragmatic approach to facial closure in frail patients

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 10:03:30 +1000

This episode of Life by a Thousand Cuts explores a common but challenging scenario in skin cancer practice: managing a large, bleeding facial lesion in an elderly patient where comfort and control matter more than long-term cure.

A/Prof Tony Dicker uses a real case to walk through clinical reasoning around diagnosis, margins and treatment options, before focusing on practical closure planning for a sizeable cheek defect.

The discussion highlights how patient context, tumour behaviour and functional risk all shape surgical decisions, and why there is rarely a single “right” answer.

A useful listen for clinicians looking to sharpen their approach to complex closures, particularly when balancing technical execution with realistic, patient-centred outcomes.

Note: This episode includes discussion of multiple clinical images. A video version is available for those who wish to view them.

Next steps in your learning journey

🎓 Certificate Courses in Skin Cancer
Explore our university-assured, structured pathway to elevate your knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer.
➡️ Explore full program

Life by a Thousand Cuts

Hair loss: Why early diagnosis & ethical care matter

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 17:37:20 +1000

In this episode of HealthCert's The Aesthetic Shift podcast series, NP Kelly Beasy is joined by specialist GP Dr Raj Selvarajan to explore hair loss from a clinical, evidence-based perspective. The conversation moves beyond cosmetic quick fixes and focuses on diagnosis, timing and ethical management.

For clinicians interested in expanding their scope into hair loss management, this episode offers a grounded overview of how to approach assessment and treatment in a medically sound way. It also reinforces a broader point: hair loss care is not about selling solutions, but about understanding the patient in front of you and treating the whole picture.

Stay tuned next month for part two, which will explore how clinicians can upskill in hair loss management and how you can get started with (and avoid common pitfalls when) integrating the services into your own practice.

Prefer a visual format? Watch this podcast here.

Next steps in your learning journey

Dr Raj Selvarajan

Learn more at www.brisbanehairtransplant.com.au and www.bemedicalcentre.com.au

The Aesthetic Shift series

Mohs surgery and how it fits into everyday skin cancer practice

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 10:51:31 +1000

Mohs surgery is often described as the gold standard for skin cancer excision, but in practice it’s a precision tool, not a default option.

In this episode of Life by A Thousand Cuts, A/Prof Tony Dicker looks at what Mohs surgery actually involves, why it is different from standard excision, and the specific clinical situations where it adds real value.

Rather than relying on representative histology, Mohs uses complete margin assessment before reconstruction. That makes it particularly useful when margins are hard to define, tissue is limited, or recurrence would be costly for the patient.

Tune into this week's episode for an insightful discussion about:

Why poorly defined or recurrent tumours raise margin uncertainty
Why anatomical sites like eyelids, lips, and the nose change the risk calculus
How Mohs compares with alternatives such as delayed reconstruction or planned re-excision
When standard excision remains entirely appropriate

The aim is to help you recognise when certainty matters more than speed, and when referral can spare patients repeat surgery or complex revisions.

Prefer a visual format? Watch this podcast here.

Next steps in your learning journey

🎓 Certificate Courses in Skin Cancer
Explore our university-assured, structured pathway to elevate your knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer.
➡️ Explore full program

Life by a Thousand Cuts

Collagen stimulators, clinical standards, and the regulatory maze

Sun, 28 Dec 2025 21:00:00 +1000

In this episode of HealthCert's The Aesthetic Shift podcast series, Kelly Beasy sits down with Naomi Grayson — registered nurse, educator, and co-founder of Pinkit Medical — to explore the evolving world of regenerative aesthetics.

Naomi shares how her clinical background shaped the development of collagen-stimulating treatments, why skin quality is becoming central to modern aesthetic practice, and what clinicians should understand about choosing and using these products safely.

This episode also touches on the often-misunderstood regulatory landscape in Australia, including how topical products differ from TGA-regulated medicines, what clinicians should be checking before introducing a new product, and why transparency from suppliers matters more than ever.

If you are curious about where collagen stimulators fit into contemporary practice, how practitioners can approach education and product selection with rigour, or what the industry shift toward skin-focused treatments means for clinics, this conversation is worth a listen.

Watch this episode here.

Next steps in your learning journey

🎓 Micro-Courses in Aesthetic Medicine
Explore short, bite-sized CPD modules in focused topics in cosmetic medicine for GPs and nurses. Complete in less than 10 hours.
➡️ Browse Micro-Courses >

🎓 Certificate Courses in Aesthetic Medicine
Explore our university-assured, structured Professional Diploma pathway to elevate your skills in primary care cosmetic medicine.
➡️ Explore full program >

GPs in skin cancer surgery: When to cut and when to refer

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 09:06:04 +1000

Excision is routine work in primary care, but deciding who should wield the scalpel isn’t always straightforward. In this episode of Life by A Thousand Cuts, A/Prof Tony Dicker explores the real-world judgement calls GPs make every day: when a skin cancer can be safely managed in-house, and when referral is the wiser path.

Tune into the episode below to hear a grounded, experience-based discussion covering:

Why local anaesthetic tolerance remains a key early filter.
How size, complexity and your own comfort level influence the decision to proceed.
The value of working alongside more experienced colleagues, and why observing can still be a worthwhile investment in your skills.
When patient preference, social factors, and after-care logistics should tip the balance toward referral.
Why a transparent, informed-consent conversation protects both patient outcomes and your medico-legal footing.

This week's episode is a concise, candid look at the grey zones of primary-care skin cancer surgery, ideal for any GP refining their procedural decision-making.

Prefer a visual format? Watch this podcast here.

Life by a Thousand Cuts

Next steps in your learning journey

🎓 Certificate Courses in Skin Cancer
Explore our university-assured, structured pathway to elevate your knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer.
➡️ Explore full program

Medical and 3D nipple tattooing: Restoring confidence after cancer

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 16:16:59 +1000

For many women, the final step in breast reconstruction after cancer is medical tattooing. In this episode of HealthCert's The Aesthetic Shift podcast series, Kelly Beasy speaks with Aleisha Gannon, a leading Australian paramedical tattooist whose work in 3D nipple tattooing has supported thousands of women in their recovery after breast cancer.

In this conversation, Aleisha (Cosmetic & Body Art Tattooist and Founder of Pink Lotus Breast Restoration) explains what makes nipple tattooing so specialised, the unique challenges of working on reconstructed skin, and why correct technique, colour theory, and infection prevention are non-negotiable.

She shares how she collaborates with surgeons and breast care nurses, the growing role of nurses in medical tattooing, and why evidence-based aftercare matters just as much as artistry.

The episode also explores corrective work, common complications, and how clinicians can support patients who may be hesitant or unsure about their options.

Watch this episode here.

Next steps in your learning journey

🎓 Micro-Courses in Aesthetic Medicine
Explore short, bite-sized CPD modules in focused topics in cosmetic medicine for GPs and nurses. Complete in less than 10 hours.
➡️ Browse Micro-Courses >

Local anaesthesia in skin cancer surgery: What the evidence says

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 09:49:15 +1000

Local anaesthetic choice and dosing are such a routine part of skin cancer surgery that it’s easy to fall into habit. But with ongoing supply pressures, evolving research, and the increasing volume of procedures performed in primary care, many GPs are now asking: how low can we safely go with lignocaine concentrations, and does dilution actually work?

In this episode of Life by A Thousand Cuts, A/Prof Tony Dicker breaks down the evidence on lignocaine dosing, including what the newer data tells us about using lower concentrations in day-to-day skin cancer work.

This episode covers:

Why names like lignocaine, lidocaine, Xylocaine, adrenaline, and epinephrine all trace back to the same core agents.
How standard concentrations (1% and 2%, with or without adrenaline) compare with the diluted formulations used in dermatologic surgery.
What the January 2025 Dermatologic Surgery double-blind trial found when comparing 0.25% vs 0.5% lignocaine, and why both were equally effective for pain control, patient satisfaction, and top-ups.
How these findings relate to tumescent anaesthesia in liposuction, where even more dilute solutions still perform reliably.
Practical safety limits, including the importance of avoiding unnecessarily large volumes in primary care and maintaining robust processes if your clinic is diluting local anaesthetic.
Real-world considerations around toxicity, duration of effect, and past adverse events that underline why careful dosing still matters.

If you perform skin cancer procedures in general practice, this is a crisp, evidence-focused update on a tool you use every day, with some simple takeaways you can apply immediately.

Prefer a visual format? Watch this podcast here.

Life by a Thousand Cuts

Next steps in your learning journey

🎓 Certificate Courses in Skin Cancer
Explore our university-assured, structured pathway to elevate your knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer.
➡️ Explore full program

Nurse-Melanographer model: Essential insights for GPs & nurses

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 12:13:47 +1000

Managing skin cancer demand in primary care is a challenge, especially with doctor shortages in regional areas. This episode of the HealthCert Insights podcast dives into the Nurse–Melanographer model: a proven approach that expands clinic capacity, improves patient access to skin cancer services, and creates rewarding career pathways for nurses and dermal clinicians.

Melanographers are nurses or dermal clinicians trained in dermoscopy and skin cancer detection. They perform skin checks, document lesions, and collaborate closely with doctors, allowing clinics to see more patients efficiently without compromising quality.

In this episode, Matt Woollard (a skin cancer clinic operations expert who has built and managed more than 40 skin cancer clinics in Australia over the past 25 years) explains several ways this model works in practice: from Melanographers performing skin checks with doctors onsite, to “tag-team” setups where a Melanographer and GP share appointments.

The model not only reduces wait times and eases doctor workloads but also strengthens the clinic’s economics; patients pay fair out-of-pocket costs while doctors can focus on surgical work and complex cases.

If you are a nurse interested in specialising in skin cancer, or a clinic owner exploring ways to manage demand, this episode will provide practical insights you can implement immediately.

Next steps in your learning journey

🎓 Micro-Courses in Skin Cancer
Explore short, bite-sized CPD modules in focused topics in skin cancer. Complete in less than 10 hours from only $95.
➡️ Micro-Courses for GPs >

➡️ Micro-Courses for nurses >

🎓 Certificate Courses in Skin Cancer
Explore our university-assured, structured pathways to elevate your knowledge in the primary care management of skin cancer.
➡️ Skin Cancer pathway for GPs >

➡️ Melanography pathway for nurses >

When and how to use secondary intention healing under new MBS changes

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 09:29:59 +1000

With recent updates to the MBS now in effect as of 1 November 2025, GPs and skin cancer doctors will notice some important wording changes in the surgical operation item numbers, particularly those relating to excision and repair.

In this episode of Life by A Thousand Cuts, A/Prof Tony Dicker explains what these amendments mean in real terms, unpacking the subtle but significant implications for everyday skin cancer surgery.

One of the most notable clarifications is the recognition that repairs are “included if performed”, meaning cases managed with healing by secondary intention are now explicitly covered.

Through a detailed case study of a basal cell carcinoma near the inner canthus, A/Prof Dicker walks through the full clinical workflow from excision margins and wound care to patient follow-up and histology, illustrating how secondary intention can achieve excellent outcomes in the right anatomical contexts.

He also shares practical dressing choices, patient management tips, and key considerations for concave sites such as the inner canthus and conchal bowl, where grafts or flaps may not always be necessary.

If you are managing skin cancers in primary care or surgical practice, this discussion offers valuable insight into how legislative nuance translates to patient care and procedural decision-making.

Download your quick-reference Medicare Skin Cancer Item Number Guide, updated November 2025 here.

Prefer a visual format? Watch this podcast here.

Life by a Thousand Cuts

Next steps in your learning journey

🎓 Certificate Courses in Skin Cancer
Explore our university-assured, structured pathway to elevate your knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer.
➡️ Explore full program

Can curettage alone be curative for skin cancer?

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 10:35:48 +1000

In skin cancer surgery, the humble curette is a familiar tool, but how effective is curettage on its own as a definitive treatment? In this episode of Life by a Thousand Cuts, A/Prof Tony Dicker takes a closer look at a new study published in Dermatologic Surgery exploring five-year recurrence rates following curettage-only management of keratinocyte carcinomas.

In the episode, A/Prof Dicker covers:

How the study was designed and what its limitations tell us about real-world data collection
How recurrence rates after curettage compare with surgery, cautery, and topical therapies
What this means for treatment selection, patient communication, and MBS item use in Australian practice

If you have ever wondered whether curettage alone can stand up as a reliable primary treatment option, this episode offers useful insights drawn from recent evidence and practical interpretation.

Watch this episode here.

Life by a Thousand Cuts

Next steps in your learning journey

🎓 Certificate Courses in Skin Cancer
Explore our university-assured, structured pathway to elevate your knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer.
➡️ Explore full program

Understanding & expanding your scope of practice in aesthetic medicine

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 15:25:25 +1000

Looking to practise responsibly and confidently in aesthetic medicine? In this episode of HealthCert's The Aesthetic Shift podcast series, Kelly Beasy breaks down one of the most important (and often misunderstood) concepts in clinical practice: scope of practice.

Whether you are a nurse, nurse practitioner, or doctor, your scope of practice isn’t fixed. It evolves with your education, competence, authority, and clinical context. But defining and maintaining that scope is essential to patient safety, professional integrity, and legal compliance.

In the episode, Kelly explores what “scope of practice” really means outside the hospital setting, where roles can vary widely and clinicians often set their own boundaries. She discusses:

Why formal education (not just conferences or observation) matters for safe practice
How to assess your competence, including your ability to manage complications
The importance of medical oversight and team structures that align with your qualifications
Why your scope changes with context, from rural to city practice, or as your career evolves
The value of mentorship in safely expanding your scope over time

Watch this episode here.

Next steps in your learning journey

🎓 Certificate Courses in Aesthetic Medicine
Explore our university-assured, structured Professional Diploma pathway to elevate your skills in primary care Aesthetic Medicine.
➡️ Explore full program >

Managing actinic keratosis in primary care: Diagnosis to prevention

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 13:03:11 +1000

Dr John O’Bryen delivers an insightful presentation for GPs on practical, evidence-based approaches to diagnosing, managing, and preventing actinic keratosis in the general practice setting.

As part of HealthCert Education's Masterclasses in Dermoscopy and Skin Cancer Surgery in Brisbane in August 2025, Skin Cancer Doctor John O'Bryen delivered an informative talk (in collaboration with La Roche Posay) on the primary care management of actinic keratosis, from diagnosis and management to prevention and patient education.

What you will learn

Navigate best practice strategies for actinic keratosis management, covering diagnosis, treatment, post-treatment care, and recurrence prevention.
Learn evidence-based approaches to improve patient outcomes and minimise side effects.
Gain insights on how to optimise healing after procedures (biopsies, cryotherapy, excisions, topical therapies, etc.) and identify delayed wound healing.
Discover how to implement preventative measures against actinic keratosis recurrence and skin cancers.
Hear your colleagues' questions and Dr O'Bryen's real-world advice in the concluding Q&A session.

💡 You can also watch the video here.

Next steps in your learning journey

🎓 Certificate Courses in Skin Cancer Medicine
Explore our university-assured, structured pathway to elevate your knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer.
➡️ Explore full program >

Billing strategies for new MBS changes: HealthCert GP Update, 2025

Sat, 18 Oct 2025 08:00:00 +1000

Confused by the latest MBS changes? From 1 July 2025, Medicare introduced major updates in women’s health and chronic disease management, including new item numbers for menopause health assessments and revised chronic condition care plans.

In this HealthCert GP Update, Dr Simone Gonzo unpacks how to apply the new Medicare item numbers in women’s health and chronic disease, providing a clear, practical overview tailored for busy GPs.

What you will learn

In a practical, case-based approach to the latest MBS changes, Dr Simon Gonzo uses real-world scenarios to demonstrate how to:

Apply the new menopause health assessment (item 695).
Integrate the new chronic condition management plan (965/967) into everyday workflows.
Align mental health care planning and psychology referrals.
Document correctly to meet requirements and avoid medicolegal risk.
Combine billings efficiently in one patient encounter without over-servicing.
Use AI tools to streamline documentation and reduce admin burden.

This session will help you feel confident that your documentation meets Medicare standards, while making the most of new funded opportunities in women’s health and chronic disease care.

Prefer a visual format? Watch this podcast here.

Next steps in your learning journey

🎓 Micro-Courses in Women's Health or Chronic Disease

Explore 400 short CPD modules in focused topics in Women's Health, Chronic Disease, and more. Complete in less than 10 hours! ➡️ Browse Micro-Courses >

🎓 Certificate Courses in Women's Health or Chronic Disease

Our university-assured, structured pathways to elevate your knowledge in Women's Health or Chronic Disease & Conditions. ➡️ Explore Certificate Courses >

🎓 HealthCert 365 subscription

Prefer flexible learning across many topics? Access 4,000+ CPD hours on-demand with HealthCert 365 — anytime, any topic, one flat annual fee. ➡️ Discover HealthCert 365 >

SPF testing: What GPs should know about sunscreen controversies

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 11:06:52 +1000

When media reports suggest that sunscreens “fail” SPF testing, GPs are often the first to field patients' concerns. In this episode of Life by a Thousand Cuts, A/Prof Tony Dicker takes a closer look at recent media controversies and applies a clinical lens to discuss whether sunscreens work and are safe to use. In the episode, he discusses SPF testing and how it is not absolute; small variations in testing conditions or sample batches can change results, even among regulated products. Despite this, Australia’s regulatory standards remain among the most stringent globally; unlike in many other countries, sunscreens are classed as therapeutic goods and regulated by the TGA.

A “failed” SPF test result doesn’t necessarily mean a product is unsafe or ineffective. It often reflects marginal variation rather than complete loss of protection. Affected manufacturers have acted responsibly by voluntarily withdrawing products to investigate further, which is an important sign of quality control, not negligence.

A/Prof Dicker reiterates that GPs play a vital role in patient reassurance and countering misinformation, since sunscreen remains a key element of skin cancer prevention, alongside other sun safety measures like shade and clothing.

“Some sun protection is better than none. The world isn’t black and white — it’s grey. Understanding that nuance helps us guide patients confidently.” - A/Prof Tony Dicker

Watch this episode here.

Life by a Thousand Cuts

Next steps in your learning journey

🎓 Certificate Courses in Skin Cancer
Explore our university-assured, structured pathway to elevate your knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer.
➡️ Explore full program

Where aesthetic medicine meets women’s health: A GP’s perspective

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 10:48:17 +1000

In this episode of HealthCert's The Aesthetic Shift podcast series, Kelly Beasy sits down with Dr Amanda Sabel, a GP and aesthetic practitioner from Western Australia, to share their advice on blending women’s health with aesthetic medicine.

Dr Sabel shares how her own experience navigating perimenopause became the catalyst for building a clinic where women’s health is front and centre, and how she has combined this with her background in aesthetics to deliver holistic care for her patients.

Together, Kelly and Dr Sabel explore:

Why menopause and perimenopause remain under-recognised in clinical practice.
The challenges of managing complex symptoms within standard consultation times.
Practical ways GPs and cosmetic practitioners can introduce women’s health services.
The evolving evidence around hormone therapy, lifestyle, and laser-based treatments.

If you are a GP or nurse practitioner looking to expand your scope and support women through all stages of life, this conversation offers insights into what is possible both clinically and professionally.

Watch this episode here.

Next steps in your learning journey

Glue vs Sutures: What makes the better scar?

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 17:00:11 +1000

In this episode of Life by A Thousand Cuts podcast, A/Prof Tony Dicker takes a closer look at a new study comparing wound closures using glue versus sutures on the trunk and limbs.

The research, published in Dermatologic Surgery, followed patients for 12 months to see which method produced the better scar. The findings might surprise you, and could change how you think about surface closures in your own practice.

A/Prof Dicker unpacks the study design, discusses what the results really mean for doctors treating skin cancers, and reflects on how factors like tissue reactivity, closure technique, and anatomical site can all influence cosmetic outcomes.

Tune in to hear his take on when glue might have an edge, what to watch for in your own closures, and why even small technique choices can make a difference over time.

Watch this episode here.

Life by a Thousand Cuts

Next steps in your learning journey

🎓 Certificate Courses in Skin Cancer
Explore our university-assured, structured pathway to elevate your knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer.
➡️ Explore full program

Talking surgical margins with Dr Ian Katz

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 10:54:33 +1000

In this episode of Life by A Thousand Cuts podcast, A/Prof Tony Dicker sits down with Dr Ian Katz, a dual-trained pathologist and founder of several skin cancer clinics, to explore one of the most debated topics in skin cancer management: margins.

Dr Katz shares his unique perspective as both a pathologist and a clinician, reflecting on why confusion around margins persists, and how GPs can better interpret pathology reports in practice.

They discuss:

Clinical vs histological margins: Guidelines are based on clinical margins, not what’s measured under the microscope. A “1.5mm histological clearance” isn’t the same thing as a “5mm clinical margin.”
Measurement variability: Pathology reports aren’t exact science. A “2mm margin” often means “2mm ± 1–2mm.” Numbers give guidance, but they’re not absolute.
What really matters: In many cases, being histologically one cell clear is enough. The reason we aim wider is due to uncertainty, because we only ever see a small fraction of the specimen under the microscope.
Managing uncertainty: Skin cancer surgery comes with ambiguity. If you are someone who struggles to sleep without a precise answer, skin cancer work can feel uncomfortable. Understanding the limits of pathology helps.
Communication counts: Clear request forms (with the prior diagnosis, margin status, and level of clinical suspicion) make it easier for pathologists to provide meaningful reports.

This discussion is about bridging the gap between the clinical and pathology worlds, and recognising that margins are less about chasing numbers, and more about good clinical judgement, clear reporting, and thoughtful follow-up.

Watch this episode here.

Life by a Thousand Cuts

Next steps in your learning journey

🎓 Certificate Courses in Skin Cancer
Explore our university-assured, structured pathway to elevate your knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer.
➡️ Explore full program

Gestational Diabetes: HealthCert GP Update, 2025

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 12:21:00 +1000

Gestational diabetes is one of the most common and challenging complications seen in pregnancy, and new guidelines are changing how GPs should approach its screening and management.

In this HealthCert GP Update, Dr Simone Gonzo unpacks the Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society (ADIPS) 2025 Consensus Recommendations, providing a clear, practical overview tailored for busy GPs.

What you will learn

How to distinguish overt diabetes from GDM.
When and how to apply early screening protocols for high-risk patients.
Updated diagnostic thresholds and what they mean in day-to-day practice.
How these changes may influence your management decisions and patient outcomes.

Prefer a visual format? Watch this podcast here.

Next steps in your learning journey

🎓 NEW! Foundation Certificate of Pregnancy: Managing Complications
Learn how to deliver safe, evidence-based care throughout pregnancy and manage complications such as gestational diabetes, infertility, miscarriage, and more. 4-module short course | Online | Accredited 40 CPD hours.
➡️ Explore short course >

🎓 Women's Health Certificate Courses
Prefer an in-depth program? Explore our university-assured, structured pathway to elevate your knowledge in Women's Health.
➡️ Explore full program >

🎓 HealthCert 365 subscription
Prefer flexible learning across many topics? Access 4,000+ CPD hours on-demand with HealthCert 365 — anytime, anywhere, one flat annual fee.
➡️ Discover HealthCert 365 >

One nurse's journey from solo practitioner to aesthetics clinic owner

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 16:05:59 +1000

In this episode of HealthCert's The Aesthetic Shift podcast series, Kelly Beasy speaks to Kelly McChord about her journey from solo practice to multi-clinic ownership and the lessons learned in building a sustainable aesthetics business.

Kelly McChord is a Nurse Practitioner with 15 years' experience in the aesthetics industry, who is based in Perth and who has a special interest in cosmetic medicine and women's health. She shares her inspiring story of building a thriving aesthetics career, from starting out as a solo practitioner to soon opening her second clinic. Her path into aesthetics was shaped by her background in emergency and resuscitation care, where she realised that health isn’t just about survival, but also about confidence and quality of life. That insight eventually led her into aesthetics, where she found new ways to help people feel their best.

Over the past 15 years, Kelly has grown from performing her first wrinkle relaxer treatments while raising four children, to establishing a busy clinic that now needs more space to meet patient demand. Along the way, she has navigated the challenges of working alone, building a client base, hiring staff, and expanding services with carefully chosen devices.

In this conversation, Kelly Beasy and Kelly McChord share their practical lessons for clinicians considering a similar path:

Build your foundation first. Focus on training, competence, and developing a loyal patient portfolio before scaling.
Know when to expand. Hiring a second injector, investing in devices, or moving to a bigger clinic should be driven by patient demand and return on investment.
Value your time and team. Setting boundaries, delegating effectively, and supporting staff are essential to sustainable growth.
Invest in skills, not just equipment. Patient trust and confidence in your expertise are far more powerful than any device alone.

Watch this episode here.

Next steps in your learning journey

Avoiding nerve injury in skin cancer surgery

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 09:48:48 +1000

In this episode of Life by A Thousand Cuts podcast, A/Prof Tony Dicker explores a critical topic for doctors surgically treating skin cancers: how to avoid accidentally cutting nerves during procedures.

A/Prof Dicker offers real-world strategies to help you plan safer surgeries. The discussion covers several major nerves relevant to skin cancer surgery, particularly in the head and neck region:

Accessory nerve – Damage here can cause significant morbidity, including shoulder weakness and difficulty raising the arm. A/Prof Dicker explains how to identify its path along the sternocleidomastoid and when referral is the safer option.
Temporal branch of the facial nerve – Injury can cause unwanted, asymmetric paralysis of the forehead. A/Prof Dicker shares a simple anatomical landmark and tips for safer anaesthesia.
Marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve – Though variable in its course, awareness of its position along the jawline can help avoid serious complications.
Common peroneal nerve – In the lower limb, damage can lead to foot drop, a complication with major functional consequences.

A/Prof Dicker also highlights commonly overlooked issues such as forehead numbness from small sensory nerves, why tumescent anaesthesia can improve safety in thin-skinned patients, and the importance of patient communication before surgery to manage expectations and reduce distress.

This episode is packed with practical pearls for clinicians working in skin cancer surgery, reminding us that while excision margins and pathology are essential, so too is thoughtful consideration of what lies beneath.

Watch this episode here.

Life by a Thousand Cuts

Next steps in your learning journey

🎓 Certificate Courses in Skin Cancer
Explore our university-assured, structured pathway to elevate your knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer.
➡️ Explore full program

The GP's journey into vasectomy practice

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 10:52:30 +1000

Vasectomy is one of the most effective and under-utilised forms of contraception, yet access remains limited in many parts of Australia. In this latest episode of HealthCert’s GP Insights podcast, Dr Raj Selvarajan shares his personal journey into the field and why more doctors may want to consider adding this procedure to their skillset.

After training as a GP in the UK, Dr Selvarajan undertook structured vasectomy training, which included supervised procedures, competency milestones, and formal certification. This system gave him the confidence and technical skills to practise safely. In contrast, Australia has no standardised training pathway; most local practitioners have learnt overseas, in hospitals, or alongside experienced colleagues.

In the podcast, Dr Selvarajan reflects honestly on the challenges he faced during training, especially when performing the procedure under local anaesthesia, where patient comfort and precision are critical. He recalls moments of self-doubt early on, but also highlights the importance of persistence, preparation, and supportive mentorship. Confidence builds over time, and what begins as a steep learning curve becomes a rewarding and highly practical skill.

Watch this episode here.

Want to upskill in the no-scalpel vasectomy method?

Start with HealthCert Education’s Advanced Workshop of Non-Scalpel Vasectomy to build your foundational skills. Then round-out your hands-on vasectomy training with a clinical placement at Dr Raj Selvarajan ’s clinic.

Choosing surgical marking pens in skin cancer surgery

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 17:12:12 +1000

In this episode of Life by A Thousand Cuts, A/Prof Tony Dicker takes a closer look at surgical marking pens, exploring how the simple act of drawing a line can influence outcomes.

Anyone who has carefully mapped a surgical plan only to see it vanish after prepping the skin, knows the frustration. In this podcast, A/Prof Dicker dives into the evidence behind different pens, from gentian violet markers to permanent markers and even the humble biro, and how antiseptic agents like chlorhexidine, Betadine, and alcohol impact their durability.

He also delves into infection risk, cross-contamination, and the rare but real possibility of ink tattooing if markings are incised. Studies comparing pen performance across skin types and prep solutions offer valuable insights.

A/Prof Dicker also shares his own preferences: permanent markers with a mid-sized tip for clear, reliable lines, applied after cleaning intact skin with alcohol wipes. He stresses the importance of tailoring pen choice to both the surgical setting and patient factors, especially skin tone.

Watch this episode here.

Life by a Thousand Cuts

Next steps in your learning journey

🎓 Certificate Courses in Skin Cancer
Explore our university-assured, structured pathway to elevate your knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer.
➡️ Explore full program

Rhomboid flap tutorial

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 16:50:26 +1000

In this episode of Life by A Thousand Cuts, A/Prof Tony Dicker takes a closer look at rhomboid closures: a practical flap technique for your surgical toolkit.

While most skin cancers don’t present neatly in a diamond shape, traditional rhomboid flaps are based on excising a diamond-shaped defect, which can sometimes remove more tissue than necessary. In this week's episode, A/Prof Dicker explores both the classic rhomboid flap and the modified rhomboid approach, which allows for effective closure of more natural, circular tumour excisions.

He explores the geometry behind traditional rhomboid flaps (including 120- and 60-degree angles), why the modified rhomboid is often better suited for circular defects, how to design and execute a flap that aligns with natural skin tension lines (thus improving both functional and cosmetic outcomes), and a step-by-step walkthrough of a rhomboid flap on the cheek, demonstrating how tissue is rotated into place for optimal closure.

This episode is highly visual, with step-by-step guidance through the design and movement of tissue flaps to close surgical defects while respecting relaxed skin tension lines. You can watch the video here.

Life by a Thousand Cuts

Next steps in your learning journey

🎓 Certificate Courses in Skin Cancer
Explore our university-assured, structured pathway to elevate your knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer.
➡️ Explore full program

The patient vasectomy journey - What GPs should know

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 11:55:02 +1000

In this latest episode of HealthCert’s GP Insights podcast, Dr Raj Selvarajan walks through what GPs can expect when managing a patient undergoing vasectomy, from the initial consult and managing patient concerns to communication tips, procedure workflow, and follow-up.

This episode focuses on the patient experience and doctor–patient communication, providing GPs with a clear understanding of how to deliver safe and supportive care.

What a typical vasectomy consultation looks like, including what should be covered in the first consult, what questions and concerns patients usually raise, and how to approach patient education, risks, and consent.
Common misconceptions about vasectomy and how to address them to put your patients at ease.
How to build trust and manage patient expectations, including communication strategies for helping patients feel safe and informed.
A typical day in a vasectomy clinic, including what the procedure workflow looks like, who is involved, and the structure of a typical work day.
Dr Selvarajan's philosophies on patient care and how to make the vasectomy experience positive from the patient’s perspective.
Expert advice for GPs to keep in mind when they first start consulting for vasectomy (and the one clinical detail that they often miss).

Watch this episode here.

Want to upskill in the no-scalpel vasectomy method?

Deep dissolving sutures for wound closure

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 17:47:31 +1000

In this week's new episode of Life by a Thousand Cuts, A/Prof Tony Dicker explores the practical considerations of using deep dissolving sutures when closing a wound in skin cancer surgery.

While suturing is a highly visual technique, A/Prof Dicker shares his expert tips that every skin cancer clinician should keep in mind, including:

When dermal sutures can (and can’t) be placed
Why absorbable sutures may save patients significant time and inconvenience
The debate around dyed vs undyed sutures
How to achieve optimal wound eversion

Alongside this discussion, A/Prof Dicker provides a demonstration video to walk you through the practical aspects of placing deep sutures. Watch it here.

Life by a Thousand Cuts

Next steps in your learning journey

🎓 Certificate Courses in Skin Cancer
Explore our university-assured, structured pathway to elevate your knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer.
➡️ Explore full program >

How to manage complications in cosmetic medicine

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 10:23:43 +1000

Tune into this first episode of a new podcast series by HealthCert Education, The Aesthetic Shift, in which Kelly Beasy provides expert tips on how to manage complications following cosmetic treatments — what is likely, what is rare, and how to respond.

The Aesthetic Shift podcast is for cosmetic practitioners looking to evolve, diversify, and future-proof their aesthetic practice. Each episode explores core cosmetic topics to help you broaden your offering and build a more resilient practice! Kelly Beasy is a Nurse Practitioner, clinic owner, and cosmetic medicine trainer at KB Aesthetix with 20 years of nursing experience and 10+ years’ experience in the aesthetic industry. She also offers a 1:1 mentorship program for clinicians.

In this episode, Kelly deep dives into how to manage complications following cosmetic treatments such as anti-wrinkle injections, dermal fillers, Sculptra, microneedling, and Skin Boosters — what is likely, what is rare, and how to respond.

Kelly provides expert tips on how to reduce risk, how to inform your patients about potential complications, and how to react quickly if adverse events occur. She also discusses key protocols and training to equip you with a toolkit to handle most complications you're likely to encounter.

Watch this episode here.

Next steps in your learning journey

Insulin & Botulinum toxin for keloid scars: Surprising study reviewed

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 20:14:00 +1000

Tune into this new episode of Life by a Thousand Cuts: a HealthCert podcast series hosted by A/Prof Tony Dicker, offering practical, case-based insights in skin cancer surgery for GPs.

In this episode, A/Prof Dicker dives into a fascinating study from Egypt exploring unconventional treatments for keloid scars, including insulin and Botulinum toxin injections.

The trial, published in the Journal of Dermatologic Surgery in June 2025, compared these options with the standard intralesional corticosteroids. While steroids remained the most effective overall, the study found some interesting pros and cons for each approach, including fewer steroid-related side effects with insulin or Botulinum toxin.

A/Prof Dicker breaks down the trial design, results, and practical takeaways for GPs, and shares when he might (and might not) consider these alternatives in clinical practice.

Helpful resources

Click here for an overview of the paper discussed in this episode.

Watch the video version here.

Life by a Thousand Cuts

Next steps in your learning journey

🎓 Certificate Courses in Skin Cancer
Explore our university-assured, structured pathway to elevate your knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer.
➡️ Explore full program >

Chaos, clues & clinical change: Conversation with Prof Cliff Rosendahl

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 09:36:23 +1000

Tune into this first episode of Life by a Thousand Cuts: a HealthCert podcast series hosted by A/Prof Tony Dicker, offering practical, case-based insights in skin cancer surgery for GPs.

The series is designed to help you enhance your clinical decision-making, procedural skills, and confidence in skin cancer management. Focus on real-world cases, surgical techniques and tips, journal article reviews, diagnostic and management insights, and guest interviews with GPs and specialists.

In this episode, A/Prof Dicker speaks with Prof Cliff Rosendahl about the evolution of skin cancer medicine in general practice, told through Cliff’s unique journey from GP to educator, researcher, and co-creator of one of the world’s most used dermatoscopy frameworks. It’s a conversation about how ideas become practice, and how individuals can shape an entire field.

What's covered in this episode

The early days: Cliff’s path from general practice into skin cancer, and what skin cancer work looked like then vs now.
The creation of SCARD: Why it was needed and how it helped GPs build surgical confidence.
Becoming an educator: What led Cliff to start teaching dermatoscopy, and how teaching and learning in this space has changed.
Translating observation into research: Cliff’s early publications (what drove them and how they came about) and the value of practice-based evidence.
The development of Chaos & Clues: The real-world problems it was trying to solve, how it works, and why it’s still relevant today.
Cliff's book: Turning knowledge into a resource and what he hopes GPs will take away from it.
Reflections and advice for GPs starting out in skin cancer work or dermatoscopy.

Helpful resources

Download the slide deck from this podcast here.

You might also be interested to check out Prof Cliff Rosendahl's book mentioned in this episode here.

Watch the video version here.

Next steps in your learning journey

🎓 Certificate Courses in Skin Cancer
Explore our university-assured, structured pathway to elevate your knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer.
➡️ Explore full program >

Primary care skin cancer screening in North America

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 17:39:34 +1000

This podcast offers an insightful discussion about the landscape of skin cancer care in the United States and Canada, and dives into why physicians may consider integrating skin cancer services into their primary care practice — an especially exceptional listen if you are based in North America.

Hear from Paul Elmslie (Founder of HealthCert Education) as he provides his unique insights into primary care skin cancer screening.

Joined by U.S.-based Primary Care Physician Dr John Howard MD, Paul shares the profound impact of growing and expanding your practice through skin cancer care, rooted in his own experiences shaping the landscape of skin cancer medicine in Australia over the past two decades.

Is vasectomy worth it? Understanding ROI in general practice

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 10:47:33 +1000

In this episode of HealthCert’s GP Insights podcast, Dr Raj Selvarajan (a Specialist General Practitioner and Course Director for the HealthCert Education Advanced Workshop of Non-Scalpel Vasectomy) addresses one of the most frequently asked questions he hears from colleagues considering integrating vasectomy services into their practice: Is it worth the investment?

Dr Selvarajan has been performing vasectomy procedures since 2007, after establishing the first no-scalpel vasectomy service in north-east England. He has since led clinics across the UK and now operates scalpel-free vasectomy clinics in Brisbane and Mackay.

In this insightful episode, Dr Selvarajan covers:

Why vasectomy is becoming more popular among GPs
Typical costs for setting up a vasectomy service
Average procedure fee and billing model
How long it takes to break even
Other benefits beyond revenue
Common misconceptions
What he wishes more GPs knew before offering vasectomy services

Want to upskill in the no-scalpel vasectomy method?

Dr Terry Harvey’s journey as a skin cancer doctor

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:02:44 +1000

In this episode of HealthCert’s GP Insights podcast, Paul Elmslie (CEO & Founder of HealthCert Education) discusses skin cancer medicine with Dr Terry Harvey (Sunshine Coast Skin Cancer Centre, Queensland).

Dr Terry Harvey is an Accredited Skin Cancer Doctor who completed his master’s degree in skin cancer at The University of Queensland, and he is one of very few doctors worldwide to outperform the University of Vienna’s DermaChallenge AI algorithm.

This insightful podcast covers:

Dr Harvey's background, what he does, and where he works.
Why Dr Harvey chose to pursue a special interest in skin cancer medicine.
The training Dr Harvey undertook to upskill himself in skin cancer.
What he enjoys most about skin cancer work.
How the skin cancer subspeciality compares to working in a GP practice.
Dr Harvey's advice for other GPs or GP Registrars who are considering pursuing a special interest in skin cancer.
Top tips for getting started in skin cancer medicine.

Building a prosperous skin cancer clinic

Fri, 08 Nov 2024 10:13:35 +1000

In this episode of HealthCert’s GP Insights podcast, Paul Elmslie (CEO & Founder of HealthCert Education) talks with Skin Cancer Doctor John O'Bryen (owner of Body Scan Skin Cancer Clinic in Buderim, Queensland) about building a prosperous skin cancer practice.

You may be interested to follow Dr O'Bryen's Instagram @skincancerdoctor, where he posts interesting dermoscopy cases which other doctors may learn from.

The podcast covers:

Dr John O'Bryen's background.
Why he chose to pursue skin cancer as a special interest field.
Education he undertook to expand his skillset in skin cancer.
How his day-to-day work as a Skin Cancer Doctor compares to practising as a generalist, and what he enjoys about his work.
How he came to buy his skin cancer clinic.
Important factors to consider when purchasing a skin cancer clinic.
Challenges he has faced in operating the clinic.
How he balances patient care with the business and admin aspects of running a clinic.
How his clinic stays up to date with advancements in skin cancer detection and treatment.
Common pitfalls and mistakes he sees other clinic owners make (and that he has made himself) and how can they be avoided.
Rewarding aspects of owning and operating a skin cancer clinic.
Advice for doctors looking to start/buy their own skin cancer practice.

GPs on the front line of mental health care

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 13:22:28 +1000

Did you know that more than 12 per cent of GP encounters in Australia are for mental health-related presentations?

In this episode of HealthCert’s GP Insights podcast, Paul Elmslie (CEO & Founder of HealthCert Education) talks with Dr Joe Kosterich (GP, speaker, author, media presenter, and health industry consultant with a special interest in mental health) about the role of the general practitioner at the forefront of mental health management.

In the podcast, Paul and Joe discuss:

Common mental health conditions GPs encounter.
The current mental health burden in Australia.
The role of the GP in managing mental health issues in the primary care setting.
The process for ensuring patients presenting for the first time with a mental health concern receive the right support, from initial consultation to ongoing care.
How GPs collaborate with psychologists, psychiatrists, and other mental health professionals.
How telehealth has impacted mental health consultations, especially post-pandemic.
The main challenges for patients in accessing mental health care.
The biggest challenges for GPs when dealing with mental health presentations.
Advice for GPs who would like to pursue a special interest in mental health.

GP payroll tax changes explained

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 16:18:39 +1000

In this episode of HealthCert’s GP Insights podcast, Paul Elmslie (CEO & Founder of HealthCert Education) talks with Kelly Chard (finance expert and founder of GrowthMD) to discuss the recent changes to payroll tax that impact medical practice owners in most Australian states.

Paul and Kelly discuss:

What has changed in payroll tax regulations for medical practices.
How the changes impact practice owners.
The anticipated flow-on effects for patients.
Proactive measures and strategies to help practice owners manage the changes and minimise the impact on their business.
Recommended resources and guidance for practices seeking comprehensive support in navigating GP payroll tax complexities.

Hear all this and much more in the full podcast below, and join us for the next episode when we deep-dive into the new payroll tax regulations on a state-by-state basis.

Medical cannabis: How it works and how to prescribe it

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 17:52:57 +1000

In this episode of the HealthCert GP Insights podcast, Paul Elmslie (HealthCert Education) talks about medical cannabis with Dr Joe Kosterich – exploring common myths and misconceptions, how cannabis can be used as medicine, and how doctors in Australia can get started prescribing medical cannabis to their patients.

Paul Elmslie is the CEO and Founder of HealthCert Education. He is chatting with Dr Joe Kosterich – a GP, speaker, author, media presenter and health industry consultant who has a special interest in medical cannabis and is the Medical Advisor for Little Green Pharma.

In the podcast, Paul and Joe explore:

Myths and misconceptions surrounding medical cannabis.
Conditions and symptoms medical cannabis can help manage.
Potential risks and side effects associated with medical cannabis use.
The difference between THC and CBD.
How to determine appropriate dosages of medical cannabis for a patient.
Safe methods of consumption.
What doctors need to do if they want to start prescribing medical cannabis to their patients in Australia.
Tips and advice for practitioners who are new to this field.

Tips to incorporate cosmetic injectables into your practice

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 15:13:53 +1000

Tune into this new episode of HealthCert’s GP Insights podcast, in which Paul Elmslie (HealthCert Education) talks with Kelly Beasy (KB Aesthetix) about how to get started delivering cosmetic injectables, exploring Kelly's top tips for introducing the service into your practice.

Paul Elmslie is the CEO and Founder of HealthCert Education. He is chatting with Kelly Beasy - a Nurse Practitioner and cosmetic medicine trainer at KB Aesthetix with 20 years of nursing experience and 10+ years’ experience in the aesthetic industry. Learn more about KB Aesthetix.

In the podcast, Kelly and Paul explore:

What inspired Kelly to pursue cosmetic injectables as part of her own practice.
The essential qualifications or certifications a practitioner requires to be able to perform cosmetic injectable treatments in Australia.
The process of getting started with cosmetic injectables.
Kelly's top tips for practitioners interested in adding cosmetic injectables to their service offering.
Kelly's insights into building a successful practice centred around cosmetic injectables.
Some of the common challenges, safety issues, or risks that a practitioner might face when starting to offer cosmetic injectables in their practice.
How the rules and regulations surrounding cosmetic injectables have recently changed in Australia, and what this means for practitioners.
How practitioners can stay up to date with advancements in techniques or changes to regulations.
Insights into how practitioners can manage patient expectations and ensure they have a positive experience with cosmetic injectables.
Kelly's advice for practitioners who are new to this field.

The changing landscape of payroll tax for doctors in Australia

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 06:00:00 +1000

In this episode of HealthCert’s GP Insights podcast, Paul Elmslie (CEO & Founder of HealthCert Education) talks with Kelly Chard (finance expert and founder of GrowthMD) to provide the latest insights and offer valuable perspectives on the current challenges and real-life observations surrounding the changing landscape of payroll tax for doctors in Australia.

Paul and Kelly discuss:

Some background on payroll tax, how it is calculated and who pays it.
Why payroll tax is currently a "hot topic".
How payroll tax is impacting general practices in Australia.
Potential consequences if practices don’t get their affairs in order around payroll tax.

Cosmetic injectables adverse events: vascular occlusion

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 15:54:21 +1000

In this latest podcast, Kelly Beasy (KB Aesthetix) delves into the world of cosmetic injectables and discusses adverse events of anti-wrinkle injections and dermal filler treatments, exploring the essential steps to handle these situations effectively to ensure safe and informed practices.

In this episode of HealthCert’s GP Insights podcast, Paul Elmslie (CEO & Founder of HealthCert Education) talks about cosmetic injectables adverse events with Kelly Beasy. Kelly is a Nurse Practitioner and cosmetic medicine trainer at KB Aesthetix, with 20 years of nursing experience and 10+ years’ experience in the aesthetic industry. Learn more about KB Aesthetix.

In the podcast, Kelly and Paul explore:

Common complications that doctors may encounter with cosmetic injectables, and how they can be prevented or minimised.
Kelly's personal experiences encountering a complication from anti-wrinkle injections and dermal fillers and how she managed it effectively.
General guidelines and key steps for doctors to follow when facing a potential vascular occlusion or other complications.
Potential implications for doctors from a legal perspective if a complication arises from an injectables treatment, and how physicians can safeguard themselves from legal issues.
The importance of documentation in the management of cosmetic injectables complications, and what doctors should include in their records to safeguard themselves and their patients.
Best practices for aftercare following anti-wrinkle injections and dermal filler treatments, and how doctors can educate their patients to ensure proper post-treatment care.
Strategies to effectively manage patient expectations prior to administering cosmetic injectables, and how doctors can ensure patients have realistic goals for their treatments.
How to maintain open communication and maintain your reputation to ensure patients continue to trust your expertise and return for future treatments even after the unfortunate event of a complication.
Kelly's advice for doctors who are new to the field to minimise the risk of complications and enhance patient satisfaction and safety in their practice.

Filler fatigue (part 2): Impact on patient satisfaction & wellbeing

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 14:50:37 +1000

In the second part of this two-part podcast series, Kelly Beasy (KB Aesthetix) discusses filler fatigue and its impact on patients' satisfaction and emotional well-being.

In this episode of HealthCert’s GP Insights podcast, Paul Elmslie (CEO & Founder of HealthCert Education) talks with Kelly Beasy about filler fatigue. Kelly is a Nurse Practitioner and cosmetic medicine trainer at KB Aesthetix, with 20 years of nursing experience and 10+ years’ experience in the aesthetic industry. Learn more about KB Aesthetix.

This podcast is the second part of a two-part series. If you missed part one, catch up here: Filler fatigue (part 1): Navigating the overfilled face

This episode focuses on the impact of filler fatigue on patients' satisfaction and emotional well-being, including the psychological aspects of aesthetic treatments; how overfilled facial features can lead to patient dissatisfaction; and techniques for managing patient expectations, providing realistic outcomes, and delivering aesthetically pleasing results that go beyond simply injecting more filler.

In the podcast, Kelly and Paul explore:

What "filler fatigue" is and why it is important to address this concern among patients.
Commonness of overfilling in facial aesthetics procedures and the potential consequences for patients.
How to manage patient expectations regarding the outcomes of dermal filler treatments.
Risks and potential complications associated with overfilling facial features.
Techniques injectors can use to assess patients' emotional readiness for dermal filler treatments.
Long-term effects of overfilled facial features and how to prevent them.
Facial features/areas that are more prone to filler fatigue and how to handle these areas effectively.
The role of facial symmetry and balance in achieving satisfactory results.
Kelly's advice for fellow injectors to ensure patient satisfaction and emotional well-being while minimising filler fatigue.

Filler fatigue (part 1): Navigating the overfilled face

Thu, 14 Sep 2023 12:35:23 +1000

In part one of this two-part podcast series, Kelly Beasy (KB Aesthetix) discusses filler fatigue, focusing on how to navigate the overfilled face and exploring effective strategies for correcting and preventing overfilling.

This podcast is the first part of a two-part series. This episode focuses on the causes and consequences of overfilling facial features with dermal fillers. Kelly discusses the importance of achieving natural-looking results and provides insights into identifying signs of overfilling. She also shares her expertise on corrective techniques and prevention strategies to help other doctors avoid overfilling in their own practices.

In the podcast, Kelly and Paul explore:

The causes of overfilling when using dermal fillers in facial treatments.
How to recognise the signs of overfilling in your patients' facial features.
Effective corrective techniques for addressing overfilled facial features.
Specific facial areas that are more prone to overfilling, and why.
Potential long-term effects of overfilling with dermal fillers.
Patient demographics and characteristics that require extra caution.
Guidance on the appropriate amount and frequency of touch-ups to avoid overfilling.
Techniques and injection methods that can help prevent overfilling.
Warning signs that doctors should be aware of during and after the injection process that may indicate overfilling.
Valuable lessons about correcting and preventing overfilling.

Important benchmarks and metrics for general practice success | Part 2

Thu, 17 Aug 2023 12:03:55 +1000

This is part two of a short podcast series on medical business management, with this part focusing on data compliance, privacy, challenges, and more.

In this episode of HealthCert’s GP Insights podcast, Paul Elmslie (CEO & Founder of HealthCert Education) talks with Chris Smeed, co-creator and CEO of Cubiko, a medical practice platform that provides insights and analysis into all practice data and helps identify areas to improve profitability and efficiency in your practice.

Missed part one? Catch up here.

In part two of this podcast series on how to identify and work towards key benchmarks and metrics for a successful general practice, Paul and Chris discuss:

Specific challenges and barriers that general practices face when it comes to utilising data for practice improvement.
How data can be used in a way that helps a medical practice keep track of patients and ensure they are being seen or followed up when they need to be.
How general practitioners can leverage benchmarking data to compare their practice's performance against industry standards.
Regulatory or compliance requirements that general practices need to consider when it comes to data collection and analysis.
How general practitioners can ensure the privacy and security of patient data while still using it to drive practice improvements.
Effective strategies for integrating data-driven decision-making into the day-to-day operations of a general practice.

Comparing neurotoxins: the 4 anti-wrinkle injectables on the market

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 18:08:52 +1000

In this episode of HealthCert’s GP Insights podcast, Paul Elmslie (CEO & Founder of HealthCert Education) talks with Kelly Beasy about the different neurotoxins available in the market. Kelly is a Nurse Practitioner and cosmetic medicine trainer at KB Aesthetix, with 20 years of nursing experience and 10+ years’ experience in the aesthetic industry. Learn more about KB Aesthetix.

In the podcast, Kelly and Paul explore:

The key differences between the four injectables products in terms of their composition and mechanism of action.
How these anti-wrinkle injectables differ in terms of onset and duration of action.
"Tox tips": Recommended injection techniques for achieving optimal results.
Patient factors that may influence the choice of one anti-wrinkle injectable over another.
Common side effects and adverse reactions associated with these injectables, and how they can be managed.
Recommended dosing and dilution.
Special considerations for using the four product types in combination with other aesthetic treatments and procedures.
Different dermal filler types, including main players in the market and what product type to use for treating different areas.
Emerging trends and advancements in the field of anti-wrinkle injectables and fillers that doctors should be aware of.
How to approach patient consultation and assessment to determine the most suitable injectables product for their needs.
Patient case studies using a combination of injectables and filler.
Anatomical areas and facial features where one injectable may be more effective than the others.
Potential future directions and areas of research in injectables.
Kelly's tips and advice for doctors on how to enhance their skills and proficiency in using anti-wrinkle injections and dermal fillers.

A guide to effective practice management | Part 1

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 17:47:29 +1000

In the first episode of a short series on HealthCert's GP Insights podcast, Paul Elmslie and Matt Woollard discuss:

The key components of effective practice management in a skin cancer clinic or general practice. This includes how to schedule appointments efficiently, how to streamline patient flow, how to optimise resource allocation, and how to keep comprehensive records.
How to ensure a seamless patient experience while maintaining efficiency in a clinic setting. This includes the importance of prioritising clear communication, minimising wait times, providing easy access to information, and focusing on personalised care.
Key challenges you might face in managing a practice and how to overcome them. Challenges can include managing high patient volumes, handling complex cases, and maintaining regulatory compliance. Paul and Matt discuss strategies to address these common challenges, such as implementing standardised processes, leveraging technology, and continuously training staff.
How to effectively utilise technology to improve practice management in a medical clinic. This includes adopting electronic health records for streamlined documentation, implementing appointment scheduling software, and leveraging telehealth services for enhanced patient access.

Important benchmarks and metrics for general practice success | Part 1

Thu, 20 Jul 2023 12:58:05 +1000

In part one of this podcast series on how to identify and work towards key benchmarks and metrics for a successful general practice, Paul and Chris discuss:

An overview of the current benchmarks and industry trends that are affecting general practice.
The key metrics that general practices should track in order to measure their performance and success.
How practice owners and managers can effectively communicate to their team the impact data can have on patient outcomes.

Profhilo®: The new bio-remodelling injectable treatment

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 16:22:06 +1000

In this latest podcast, Kelly Beasy (KB Aesthetics) talks about Profhilo®, the new injectable treatment that uses hyaluronic acid to improve the appearance of the skin by stimulating the production of collagen and elastin.

In this episode of HealthCert’s GP Insights podcast, Paul Elmslie (CEO & Founder of HealthCert Education) talks about Profhilo® with Kelly Beasy. Kelly is a Nurse Practitioner and cosmetic medicine trainer at KB Aesthetics, with 20 years of nursing experience and 10+ years’ experience in the aesthetic industry. Learn more about KB Aesthetics.

In the podcast, Kelly and Paul explore:

What Profhilo® is and how it works as a bio-remodelling treatment.
How Profhilo® differs from other cosmetic injectable treatments.
The process of administering Profhilo® to patients.
The benefits of Profhilo® for patients seeking cosmetic enhancements.
Specific areas of the face and body where Profhilo® is most commonly used.
When patients can usually see results following treatment with Profhilo®, how long the effects last, and how to prolong them.
Potential side effects and risks associated with Profhilo® treatment.
The criteria for determining if a patient is a suitable candidate for Profhilo®.
Contraindications and precautions that doctors should be aware of before administering Profhilo® to their patients.
How Profhilo® can be combined with other cosmetic treatments and procedures for enhanced results.
Downtime and recovery period required after receiving Profhilo® injections.
Aftercare instructions and recommendations for patients post-treatment.
How the cost of Profhilo® compares to other injectable treatments in the market.
The typical patient experience during a Profhilo® treatment session.
Success stories of patients who have undergone Profhilo® treatment.
Challenging cases and scenarios Kelly has encountered while administering Profhilo®, and how she addressed them.
How to stay up-to-date with the latest advancements and techniques related to Profhilo® and cosmetic medicine in general.
Kelly's advice and recommendations for fellow doctors interested in incorporating Profhilo® into their cosmetic medicine practices.

Practical tips to deliver cosmetic consultations for different ages & skin types

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 17:08:54 +1000

In this latest podcast, Dr Helena Rosengren provides her practical advice on how to deliver a cosmetic consultation and tailor your considerations for different skin concerns and age groups.

In this episode of HealthCert’s GP Insights podcast, we talk about delivering cosmetic consultations with Dr Helena Rosengren, an experienced Skin Cancer and Cosmetic Medicine Physician based in Townsville.

In the podcast, Dr Rosengren discusses:

The process of a cosmetic consultation and how it differs from a regular medical consultation.
Specific skin concerns that are more common in certain age groups and how she addresses these concerns.
How she communicates with patients during a cosmetic consultation to ensure their expectations are aligned with the treatment plan.
Challenges you might encounter when dealing with patients who have specific skin concerns, such as acne or rosacea.
Advice for doctors starting out in cosmetic medicine in regards to developing consultation skills.
How to approach the issue of patient safety during a cosmetic consultation, and what steps you can take to ensure the patient is a good candidate for the treatment.
Examples of particularly challenging cosmetic consultations she has dealt with and how she addressed the patient’s concerns.
How to stay up-to-date with the latest developments in cosmetic medicine, and how to incorporate this knowledge into your consultations.

Payroll tax changes for medical practices

Tue, 16 May 2023 17:48:32 +1000

Are you prepared to navigate the upcoming changes to payroll tax for medical practices? In this latest podcast, Paul Elmslie (Founder & CEO, HealthCert Education and National Skin Cancer Centres) and Matt Woollard (COO, National Skin Cancer Centres) discuss the proposed changes and share a few tips to possibly safeguard your practice.

In this episode of HealthCert’s GP Insights podcast, Paul Elmslie and Matt Woollard talk about the upcoming changes to payroll tax for medical practices and discuss how they are attempting to weather these changes. Paul and Matt draw on their own experiences from having owned and operated 40+ medical clinics in Australia over the past few decades.

The various State Revenue Offices are taking a view that doctors are now seen as employees rather than sub-contractors, which would mean that the medical practices in which they work must pay payroll tax. The percentage varies between states, but in many states this means an additional cost of 5 per cent. The State Revenue Office can back-date this tax by five years and apply penalties for unpaid taxes. This presents a significant risk to the general practice industry.

In the podcast, Paul and Matt talk about defining the relationship between the medical practice and the doctor, and the body of evidence supporting that doctors are sub-contractors rather than employees.

Matt discusses some of the strategies he has put in place for the National Skin Cancer Centres to put the clinics in an optimal position to potentially weather changes to payroll tax regulations. For example:

The doctor bills the patient and provides the medical practice with a service fee once per fortnight.
The medical practice never includes the doctors’ income as an expense on financial statements.
Agreements are in place that the doctor pays the medical practice for the use of their facilities.
The doctors set their own fees and close off their appointment books when they don’t want to see patients (in lieu of annual leave).
The doctors have complete autonomy to bill, consult and treat patients however they choose.

Meeting patient demand & expectations in your medical practice

Fri, 14 Apr 2023 17:01:11 +1000

How can you keep up with patient demand in your medical practice and better meet your patients’ expectations? In this latest podcast, Paul Elmslie (Founder & CEO, HealthCert Education and National Skin Cancer Centres) and Matt Woollard (COO, National Skin Cancer Centres) give their practical advice for keeping up with patient demand and changing perceptions and preferences, based on their own experiences owning and operating 40+ general practices and skin cancer clinics in Australia.

In this episode of HealthCert’s GP Insights podcast, Paul Elmslie and Matt Woollard talk about how you can keep up with patient demand and changing perceptions and expectations in your medical practice. The recent CommBank Health GP Insights Report 2023 highlighted interesting trends about the current and emerging landscape for medical practices in 2023 and beyond. This podcast is part 3 of 3 episodes focusing on relevant findings in that report. Paul and Matt have owned and operated 40+ medical clinics in Australia over the past few decades, and here they discuss some of what they have learned.

Keeping up with patient demand

In the podcast, Matt says, “Without realistically increasing the number of doctor hours you have in your practice, the only way to keep up with increased patient demand is through workplace efficiencies or changing your workflow to allow you to be able to treat or manage more patients in the same amount of time without putting patient safety at risk.

“A nurse can help increase the doctor’s productivity. You might work with a nurse and a tag-team environment where you triage patients and work across maybe two or three different consultation rooms.

“You might also look at what tasks a doctor is doing that could be moved on to a nurse. I think there’s a lot of opportunities inside general practice to really streamline how a general practice runs so that a practice can keep up with demand without increasing the number of doctors they have for that demand.”

Optimising practice productivity

Utilising availably technologies is a great way to minimise the amount of “human work” required from your clinic, thereby reducing workload, speeding up workflow, and optimising efficiency. An example of this includes using online booking systems, as more patients doing online bookings equals less phone calls at the front desk, allowing the staff to focus on serving the patients that are in front of them.

Another example is online registration forms so that patients can complete their personal information before they even arrive at the practice for their appointment. In addition, there is software available that can automatically send patients’ results to them so that they don’t need to be recalled back into the clinic to get their results.

Matt suggests that doctors should sit down and look at the tasks they are doing every day “that are a waste of your training and experience” that could be done by somebody else so that the doctor is freed up to spend more time seeing patients. It’s also important to ask whether any steps could be cut out of a process to make it faster.

Managing patients’ changing perceptions and expectations

In the second half of the podcast, Paul and Matt take an in-depth look at some of the most common patient expectations that medical clinics should strive to meet in order to satisfy their patients’ changing needs and wants. They also discuss the impact of social media and Google reviews and how patients’ experiences influence their word-of-mouth referrals and public feedback, and much more.

Attracting and retaining staff in your medical practice

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 17:00:21 +1000

How can you attract and retain the right staff for your medical practice? In this latest podcast, Paul Elmslie (Founder & CEO, HealthCert Education and National Skin Cancer Centres) and Matt Woollard (COO, National Skin Cancer Centres) give their practical advice for hiring staff for your clinic, based on their own experiences owning and operating 40+ general practices and skin cancer clinics in Australia.

In this episode of HealthCert’s GP Insights podcast, Paul Elmslie and Matt Woollard talk about how to attract and retain the right staff in your medical practice. The recent CommBank Health GP Insights Report 2023 highlighted interesting trends about the current and emerging landscape for medical practices in 2023 and beyond. This podcast is part 2 of 3 episodes focusing on relevant findings in that report. Paul and Matt have owned and operated 40+ medical clinics in Australia over the past few decades, and here they discuss some of what they have learned.

Matt further recommends some job posting boards and advertising channels that he finds most effective for finding the right candidates for a job opening.

In terms of being an attractive employer, Paul says it’s important to manage staff expectations. For example, many staff are looking for flexibility in their roles these days so they can find a work-life balance, so it’s good to do what you can to accommodate their specific needs.

The podcast then moves on to discuss how to optimise onboarding of a newly recruited staff member at your clinic. Paul and Matt stress it’s important to have a structured onboarding process for new staff, and an effective, detailed training program and resources so they have the best chance of success.

Further, the podcast looks at how you can support and celebrate your staff with recognition and validation during their time with you.

How to build sustainable billing in a medical practice

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 17:21:43 +1000

Explore how to build a sustainable billing structure in a medical practice – with a focus on managing the cost of the business and taking advantage of opportunities to grow revenue – in this latest podcast with Paul Elmslie (Founder & CEO, HealthCert Education and National Skin Cancer Centres) and Matt Woollard (COO, National Skin Cancer Centres), who discuss their own experiences owning and operating 40+ general practices and skin cancer clinics in Australia.

In this episode of HealthCert’s GP Insights podcast, Paul Elmslie and Matt Woollard talk about building a sustainable billing structure for a medical practice. The recent CommBank Health GP Insights Report 2023 highlighted interesting trends about the current and emerging landscape for medical practices in 2023 and beyond. This podcast is part 1 of 3 episodes focusing on relevant findings in that report. Paul and Matt have owned and operated 40+ medical clinics in Australia over the past few decades, and here they discuss some of what they have learned.

In the podcast, Paul and Matt look into the costs of running a medical business and explore opportunities to grow revenue, based on their own experiences.

Costs of running a medical business

The fixed costs of running a medical clinic (such as the rent, electricity, phone and internet, etc.) are usually difficult to change. However, two substantial costs of running a medical clinic that can be adjusted are wages and consumables.

Matt says that you can reduce the cost of wages while still paying your staff appropriately by maximising staff efficiency. (For example, you might investigate whether the front desk can be managed by two staff instead of three on certain days.) As wages are the greatest cost to a business, Matt recommends looking at wages monthly to determine your wage costs as a percentage of your service fee to get a better idea of how you are tracking.

In addition, Matt recommends doing a complete review of all your clinic’s consumables. You can look at what you’re using, what your doctors prefer to use, and what’s affordable, and tighten down your list to a much smaller list of products. This gives you the opportunity to get a competitive quote, standardise and bulk buy your consumables, and makes stock-take simpler.

Opportunities to grow revenue

You need to earn more money than you spend in order to build a sustainable practice, and sometimes this means increasing your billing to better support the practice and maintain the services your provide.

Paul says that if you are a bulk-billing clinic looking to move into private billing, it’s important to introduce this in small steps. (For example, starting out with only a small out-of-pocket fee and then gradually increasing this to where it needs to be.) If you’re going to change what you’re charging, you need to ensure your staff are trained to have those conversations with patients on the frontline so there are no breakdowns in communication.

Paul and Matt further discuss the pros and cons of bulk-billing and the current landscape for Medicare rebates.

Practical tips for performing lip filler treatments

Mon, 27 Mar 2023 16:14:32 +1000

In this latest podcast, Dr Helena Rosengren provides her practical advice for performing lip filler treatments, with a focus on achieving subtle and natural-looking results, managing patient expectations, dealing with potential complications, and more.

In this episode of HealthCert’s GP Insights podcast, we talk about lip filler with Dr Helena Rosengren, an experienced Skin Cancer and Cosmetic Medicine Physician based in Townsville.

In the podcast, Dr Rosengren discusses:

What lip filler products are made from and how they work.
Which patient demographics typically seek lip filler treatments, and what kind of concerns patients are hoping to address.
Patients she avoids treating with lip filler.
How to plan out lip filler treatment, including what’s involved in the initial consultation and the planning process.
Top tips for helping practitioners achieve a natural and subtle look rather than the dreaded “duck lips” look.
How she deals with patients wanting more lip filler against her recommendations, including how she addresses these concerns and manages patient expectations.
Adverse events a practitioner should be aware of before performing lip fillers on a patient.
How to manage potential complications with lip filler treatments.
Advice for practitioners interested in starting out offering lip fillers, and how can they get started.
The challenges a practitioner might encounter when they start out offering lip fillers, and her advice for overcoming those challenges.

Practical tips on how to treat hair loss with Helena Rosengren

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 12:02:39 +1000

Did you know hair loss affects more than 50 per cent of Australian men? If you see patients with hair loss in your practice, listen to this latest podcast with Dr Helena Rosengren on the primary care management of hair loss, including treatment with supplements, topical creams, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy, and more.

In this episode of HealthCert’s GP Insights podcast, we talk about hair loss with Dr Helena Rosengren, an experienced Skin Cancer and Cosmetic Medicine Physician based in Townsville.

In the podcast, Dr Rosengren explores the sorts of hair loss and hair thinning concerns she sees in her primary care practice and explains who these conditions typically affect. She discusses the different types of hair loss and their causes, which of course affect the clinician’s approach to management.

Dr Rosengren talks about the primary care treatments available for hair loss and how they work (including supplements, topical creams, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy, and more), plus which patients are the best candidates for these treatments and which patients aren’t typically suitable.

The podcast looks into hair loss treatments a GP can realistically expect to incorporate into their primary care practice and what sort of training and equipment they would require in order to get started.

Dr Rosengren also gives practical advice on the risks and limitations involved with hair loss treatments and when to refer a patient onwards to a specialist dermatologist.

Screening for skin cancer in different ages and skin types

Thu, 12 Jan 2023 16:00:11 +1000

How does skin cancer detection vary in different age groups and among patients with different skin types? In this podcast, Paul Elmslie (Founder & CEO, HealthCert Education and National Skin Cancer Centres) speaks with Dr Kerry Summerscales (National Skin Cancer Centres) about screening for skin cancer in different ages and skin types.

Dr Kerry Summerscales is a doctor at CQ Skin Cancer Centre in Mackay, Queensland, who diagnoses and treats skin cancer every day. In this podcast, she talks about her personal experiences with screening patients of all ages and skin types for skin malignancies and offers her practical advice on how not to miss a melanoma.

Dr Summerscales speaks about how she approaches patients of different age groups – from children to adults to the elderly – when screening for skin cancer, including the different risk factors that each of these population groups may hold. She says that skin checks can be an ideal opportunity to teach children about body autonomy and to help them to understand their own skin from a young age.

She talks about checking for skin cancers in young people, including teenagers and those in their 20s, with a particular focus on melanoma, as this is the most common cancer in Australians aged 15 to 39 – with real patient stories. She discusses how she determines a patient’s individual skin cancer risk and sunburn history, and her systematic approach for conducting skin cancer checks across the entire skin surface.

Dr Summerscales discusses how she helps patients of all ages to feel comfortable and at ease during the skin exam and some of the questions she asks her patients to get a better understanding of their skin history, skin cancer risk, and what’s brought them into her clinic that day.

She also talks about skin cancer screening in older Australians aged 65+ who are at highest risk of non-melanoma skin cancers.

Practical tips for mole removal with Dr Helena Rosengren

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 06:00:00 +1000

Do you see patients seeking cosmetic mole removal in your practice? In this latest podcast, listen to Dr Helena Rosengren's practical tips for performing mole removal procedures, covering patient suitability, how to conduct a preliminary lesion assessment, necessary tools and training, and more.

In this episode of HealthCert’s GP Insights podcast, we talk about mole removal with Dr Helena Rosengren, an experienced Skin Cancer and Cosmetic Medicine Physician based in Townsville.

In the podcast, Dr Rosengren explains the prevalence of mole removal procedures in her primary care practice and why some patients want benign moles, skin tags, and other lesions removed from their skin.

Dr Rosengren talks about which patients are the ideal candidates for mole removal procedures, and takes us through her step-by-step process for consulting with patients seeking mole removal, including the vital importance of first conducting an assessment of the lesion for signs of malignancy. She explains why all moles must be carefully checked with dermoscopy before any removal procedure is carried out, as it can be very dangerous to remove a malignant lesion without appropriate diagnosis and surgical margins.

Dr Rosengren discusses the tools and methods for mole removal that you can realistically use in primary care, including radio ablation. She explores the benefits of radio ablation for mole removal and how it compares to other approaches such as excision. She further looks into the risks, side effects, downtime, and expected results, including scarring.

The podcast further explores the kind of equipment and training that a primary care practitioner would need to carry out mole removal services in their practice, and how they might get started.

Paul Elmslie and Matt Woollard - Medicare billing changes

Tue, 08 Nov 2022 16:10:19 +1000

Do you see patients with skin cancer concerns in your practice? In this podcast, Paul Elmslie (Founder & CEO, HealthCert Education and National Skin Cancer Centres) speaks with Matt Woollard (COO, National Skin Cancer Centres) about the recent changes to Medicare item numbers for clinically suspected melanoma.

New Medicare item numbers have been introduced for the surgical excision and repair of clinically suspected melanoma. In this podcast, Matt Woollard provides a comprehensive update on the new item numbers that came into effect on 1 November 2022.

Seven new MBS items have been created for initial excision of clinically suspected melanoma and amendments have been made to the item descriptors for the existing definitive excision items to resolve confusion around the claiming of melanoma excision services.

These changes are relevant for dermatologists, plastic surgeons, plastic and reconstructive surgeons, general surgeons, skin cancer doctors and general practitioners practising in Australia.

How to integrate thread lift treatments into your practice

Tue, 08 Nov 2022 14:50:53 +1000

How can you get started providing thread lifts in primary care? In this latest podcast, listen to Dr Helena Rosengren’s expert advice on how thread lifts can be used to address your patients’ cosmetic concerns in the primary care setting, and how you can begin to include this treatment in your service offering.

In this episode of HealthCert’s GP Insights podcast, we talk about thread lifts with Dr Helena Rosengren, an experienced Skin Cancer and Cosmetic Medicine Physician based in Townsville.

In the podcast, Dr Rosengren explains what thread lifts are and how they work, including the cosmetic concerns thread lifts can address for your patients. She highlights the areas of the body that can be treated with thread lifts, which patients are the best candidates for the procedure, and the treatment limitations.

The podcast also compares thread lifts with other aesthetic treatments, such as cosmetic surgery, outlining the benefits and risks of both.

Dr Rosengren further discusses how a medical practitioner can get started providing thread lifts in their practice, including the necessary training and equipment, with her top tips for introducing thread lifts as a service offering in a medical clinic.

Quality improvement activities for a GP practice

Wed, 19 Oct 2022 12:07:53 +1000

In this podcast, Paul Elmslie (Founder & CEO, HealthCert Education and National Skin Cancer Centres) speaks with Narelle Davidson (Area Manager at National Skin Cancer Centres) about how to elevate the quality improvement strategies in your general practice to improve patient outcomes and deliver the best possible medical care.

In the podcast, Narelle and Paul discuss software, services and training to improve the quality of your GP practice and services to ensure patients’ needs are met and their expectations are exceeded.

“I think there’s been a general consensus within general practice that quality improvement activities are simply an admin task, simply a a tick box that we use to ensure that the clinic can be accredited and ensuring all of the paperwork in the clinic is up,” says Narelle.

“I think what’s important to note is that that’s not exactly the case. Quality improvement activities can mean anything within a practice. It can mean bettering the care level that we give to our patients, bettering the processes so that we’re able to deliver better care to a patient.

“We need to be looking at what that means for a general practitioner in treating their patients, making sure that what they’re doing within their own practice as an independent practitioner is quality improvement.

“Quality improvement is every aspect of the business, not just the admin side.”

Narelle has 26 years’ experience in general practice business and practice management and currently manages a dozen skin cancer clinic across Australia.

How to use cosmeceuticals for patients’ skin health with Tania Romano

Tue, 13 Sep 2022 12:42:20 +1000

How can cosmeceuticals help to enhance your patients’ skin health when used in combination with medical skin treatments? In this latest podcast, Professor David Wilkinson (Chief Medical Officer, National Skin Cancer Centres) speaks with Tania Romano (Scientific and Education Communications Manager, Head of Medical, SkinCeuticals) about how skin cancer doctors, GPs and other physicians can use topical skincare products as part of their medical and cosmetic medicine toolkit.

In the podcast, Prof Wilkinson and Tania discuss why maintenance with topical skincare is so important for patients. They discuss the types of skin concerns physicians can manage with cosmeceuticals, as well as how topical products can be used in conjunction with aesthetic procedures to enhance or prolong results.

The podcast covers the effects and benefits of cosmeceuticals and why they are a useful component in a primary care physician’s toolkit as part of an overall treatment plan.

The limitations are explained, as well as things to be aware of before you begin prescribing these products in your practice.

CPD Home explained: Changes to CPD in 2023

Tue, 06 Sep 2022 16:21:34 +1000

CPD accreditation is changing for doctors from 2023. In this podcast, Paul Elmslie (Founder & CEO, HealthCert Education) and Prof David Wilkinson (Chief Medical Officer, National Skin Cancer Centres) explain the upcoming changes and what doctors need to do to prepare.

How is CPD changing?

In the podcast, Paul and Prof Wilkinson explain how from January 2023 all doctors practising in Australia will be required to complete CPD on an annual basis rather than within a triennium. CPD will shift to hours instead of points. Each year, all doctors must complete 50 hours of CPD activities, consisting of:

Minimum 12½ hours education
Minimum 5 hours performance review
Minimum 5 hours outcome measurement

What is a CPD Home?

All doctors must meet these requirements, regardless of hours worked. A transition period will take place in 2023. About 5% of doctors will be audited. The purpose of these changes is to place a greater emphasis on measuring clinical outcomes in the practice. From 2024, it will be compulsory for all
doctors to belong to a CPD Home, where their CPD hours and annual activities are collated. There will be various CPD Home providers, including HealthCert Education, and doctors can belong to more than one provider.

What do doctors need to do from 2023?

Listen to the podcast to understand what you need to do to be ready for the new system when it commences in a few months’ time.

Please complete a short CPD survey & enter the draw to win a free course and 'Dermoscopy Bible'

Please answer a 6-question survey to help us understand doctors' expectations and concerns about the upcoming CPD changes. Your input will help improve our programs and provide you with relevant support to meet CPD requirements.

Every survey participant will enter the draw to receive a free HealthCert online course (valued up to $2,495) and a hard copy of the Dermoscopy & Diagnosis of Benign & Malignant Skin Lesions.

Winner announced 30 September via Facebook. T&Cs apply.

How to manage acne in primary care with Dr Helena Rosengren

Thu, 25 Aug 2022 16:24:02 +1000

In this episode of HealthCert’s GP Insights podcast, we talk about acne management with Dr Helena Rosengren, an experienced Skin Cancer and Cosmetic Medicine Physician based in Townsville.

In the podcast, Dr Rosengren talks about patients she typically sees presenting with acne to her primary care clinic, including the kinds of concerns these patients have. She explains how she conducts a preliminary acne consultation, and how to determine the cause of the acne.

Dr Rosengren further describes the treatment options primary care physicians can offer for their patients with severe acne , and when to refer patients onwards to a specialist dermatologist for acne management.

The podcast also explores what to do when a standard treatment regimen is not working, and how to deal with challenging aspects of managing acne in primary care.

Dr Rosengren shares success stories from her own practice and offers practical advice for practitioners interested in introducing primary care dermatology to their practice.

How to implement a patient recall policy with Paul Elmslie and Narelle Davidson

Fri, 12 Aug 2022 16:30:01 +1000

In this podcast, Paul Elmslie (Founder & CEO, HealthCert Education and National Skin Cancer Centres) speaks with Narelle Davidson (Area Manager at National Skin Cancer Centres) about how to implement a patient recall policy through the effective use of your existing medical software to ensure repeat patient visits.

In the podcast, Narelle discusses the importance of patient recalls for ensuring continuity of care. It is vital that patients return to the practice for follow-up of their medical concerns so that they can be treated quickly and effectively.

Additionally, it is important for patients to return to the practice so that doctors have an ongoing patient base.

Narelle explains the systems, processes and software a practice can implement to make sure patient recall is properly executed – ensuring ongoing patient care and continued income for the practice – and how to effectively target patients to ensure they don’t slip through the cracks.

Narelle has 26 years’ experience in general practice business and practice management and currently manages a dozen skin cancer clinic across Australia.

Dermal fillers in primary care with Dr Helena Rosengren

Tue, 19 Jul 2022 16:57:14 +1000

In this latest podcast, listen to Dr Helena Rosengren’s expert advice for delivering dermal fillers in primary care, including how to get started, which concerns can be treated, and how to handle adverse events and other challenges when starting out.

In the podcast, Dr Rosengren discusses the patient demand for cosmetic injectables, specifically dermal fillers, and which patients she typically treats with dermal fillers in her own primary care cosmetic clinic. She explains the types of concerns these treatments can be used for and the patients who are the best candidates (plus the patients she would avoid treating!).

Dr Rosengren walks through how she conducts a skin consultation with patients requesting dermal fillers and how she plans out their treatment, including what’s involved in the initial consultation.

The podcast also explores adverse events that a practitioner should be aware of before performing dermal fillers on a patient and how to identify when a patient has had “enough” dermal filler.

Dr Rosengren provides her experts tips on how practitioners can achieve a more natural and subtle look, rather than the dreaded “over-filled” look, along with her advice for how to start out offering this service in your primary care or cosmetic clinic, including how to set up the services to run efficiently and how to market treatments to patients.

Lastly, Dr Rosengren takes us through some of the challenges a practitioner might encounter when starting out and provides her advice for overcoming those challenges.

Introducing cosmetic injectables in your primary care clinic with Dr Helena Rosengren

Thu, 07 Jul 2022 15:11:53 +1000

In this latest podcast, Dr Helena Rosengren provides practical advice for doctors wishing to get started in aesthetic medicine. She discusses her own career in this field and how she got started offering cosmetic services including injectables in her skin cancer clinic.

In the podcast, Dr Rosengren takes us through her esteemed professional journey, including how she started out in cosmetic medicine and how she first added aesthetic services into her primary care practice.

She discusses the kinds of treatments she regularly performs, including cosmetic injectables, and how the services blend in with her skin cancer clinic.

Dr Rosengren tells us about the types of patients who seek cosmetic injectables, which are one of the most commonly requested treatments, and the kinds of questions she fields as part of her everyday work. She discusses the approach she typically takes with patients from consultation to aftercare.

The podcast also explores how Dr Rosengren manages complications with injectables in her clinic and provides further practical advice for doctors wishing to start out offering cosmetic services to patients.

Imiquimod for BCC with Dr Yevgeny Filanovsky

Tue, 21 Jun 2022 13:10:25 +1000

In this latest podcast, Prof David Wilkinson (Chief Medical Officer of National Skin Cancer Centres) speaks with Dr Yevgeny (Gene) Filanovsky (a Family Physician with Cutaneous Surgery and Skin Cancer Focus at Skin Care West, Canada) about how he uses imiquimod in his practice for the treatment of BCC.

Dr Filanovsky describes his work in cutaneous surgery at Skin Care West in Canada which utilises a team-based approach combining dermatologists and family physicians. This model is developing popularity in Australia too, due to a shortage of dermatologists and a high prevalence of skin cancer.

Dr Filanovsky goes on to give a detailed explanation of how he uses the topical field treatment imiquimod in his practice, especially for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma (BCC).

He also speaks about the surgical options for treating BCCs, including excision guidelines and when the use of topical therapies is appropriate instead of surgical intervention.

Dr Filanovsky discusses the sites, lesion types and patient groups for which he recommends imiquimod.

He has made the following available for download:

You can also visit his website here.

The future of digital imaging for skin cancer detection with Prof Peter Soyer

Tue, 07 Jun 2022 18:11:37 +1000

In this latest podcast, Professor Peter Soyer gives a sneak peek into his presentation at the upcoming Skin & Skin Cancer Conference and Masterclasses, where he will talk about his latest groundbreaking research projects and the future of digital imaging in skin cancer detection.

In the podcast, Prof Soyer talks with Professor David Wilkinson about the latest research projects underway in melanoma, including The University of Queensland Australian Centre of Excellence in Melanoma Imaging & Diagnosis IMAGE trial, the Melanoma Cohort study, and more.

He speaks about how digital imaging will become a mainstay of skin cancer detection in years to come and how it might fit into the everyday workflow of primary care skin cancer doctors.

Prof Soyer also discusses develops in artificial intelligence and what the future holds for this technology.

This podcast provides a sneak peek into Prof Soyer’s upcoming in-depth presentation at the Skin & Skin Cancer Conference and Masterclasses in Brisbane on 21-24 July 2022.

Contemporary management of melanoma with Prof Michael Henderson

Fri, 20 May 2022 13:10:09 +1000

In this latest podcast, Professor Michael Henderson (Professor of Surgery at the University of Melbourne) gives a sneak peek into his presentation at the upcoming Skin & Skin Cancer Conference and Masterclasses in Brisbane on 21-24 July 2022, where he will talk about contemporary management of melanoma.

In the podcast, Prof Henderson talks with Professor David Wilkinson (Chief Medical Officer of National Skin Cancer Centres) about the big changes that are happening with melanoma management in primary care and within advanced facilities, too.

Melanoma treatments are rapidly evolving and have come a long way in recent years – and there are a lot of changes coming in the near future!

Prof Henderson speaks about the management of high-risk melanoma patients, the role of the sentinel node biopsy, candidates for adjuvant therapies such as immunotherapy, updates to Australian melanoma treatment guidelines, the management of melanoma by GPs in the primary care setting, and more.

Topical 5 fluorouracil-calcipotriol compound for actinic keratosis with Dr Yevgeny Filanovsky

Thu, 05 May 2022 17:15:43 +1000

In this latest podcast, Prof David Wilkinson (Chief Medical Officer of National Skin Cancer Centres) speaks with Dr Yevgeny (Gene) Filanovsky (a Family Physician with Cutaneous Surgery and Skin Cancer Focus at Skin Care West, Canada) about his extensive experience using topical 5 fluorouracil-calcipotriol compound to treat actinic keratosis.

Dr Filanovsky describes how he got started in skin cancer medicine and came to work full-time in cutaneous surgery at Skin Care West, which utilises a team-based approach combining dermatologists and family physicians. It is quite unique in Canada and is one of the largest dermatology clinics in its province.

Dr Filanovsky goes on to give a very detailed explanation of his experiences with topical 5 fluorouracil-calcipotriol compound use for actinic keratosis. He has treated over 1,000 patients with this treatment. Download his handout here and his slides here.

Antibiotic prophylaxis for surgical site infection

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 16:41:09 +1000

In this latest podcast, Dr Helena Rosengren – a Skin Cancer & Aesthetic Doctor in Townsville, Queensland – gives a sneak peek into her presentation at the upcoming Skin & Skin Cancer Conference and Masterclasses in Brisbane on 21-24 July 2022, where she will talk about antibiotic prophylaxis for surgical site infection.

In the podcast, Dr Rosengren talks about how she got started in skin cancer medicine after working as a general practitioner for most of her career. She describes the prevalence and management of wound infections following skin procedures.

Dr Rosengren offers her expert advice for GPs on a pragmatic approach to antibiotic prophylaxis for surgical site infection, drawing on recent research that shows Australia has the highest antibiotic prescribing rate in the world. She explains how to manage high-risk sites and high-risk patients.

Managing adverse events & improving safety in aesthetic medicine

Wed, 23 Mar 2022 12:36:29 +1000

In this latest podcast, Elena Currie (Co-founder, Aesthetic MET) discusses the results of a recent aesthetics safety survey exploring adverse events experienced by practitioners performing cosmetic procedures, and highlights how these results can help improve safety standards in medical aesthetics.

Elena explains how the survey provides an insight into complications that are realistically relevant to (and experienced by) peers. For example, the survey found that 26% of practitioners have experienced vascular occlusion – an adverse reaction that attracts a substantial amount of fear, considering it can be treated swiftly when recognised. In reality, only about 4% of vascular occlusions lead to necrosis.

The survey discussion aims to provide a snapshot of what adverse reactions are commonly experienced and how well they are handled, and to lessen practitioners’ uncertainty around adverse events.

How doctors’ percentage fees affect their income

Thu, 10 Mar 2022 14:30:21 +1000

Do doctors’ percentage fees actually matter? In this latest episode of the HealthCert Education podcast, Paul Elmslie (Founder & CEO, HealthCert Education and National Skin Cancer Centres) speaks with Matt Woollard (Business Director, National Skin Cancer Centres) about how doctors’ percentage fee structures affect the income of both doctors and medical practices.

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Speaking from their collective experience owning and managing over 30 medical practices over the past 20 years, Paul and Matt discuss the controversial topic of why “doctors’ percentages don’t matter”.

In the podcast – aimed at both practice owners and doctors working within a medical practice – they speak about what doctors’ percentage fees actually mean.

Paul and Matt discuss how the percentages are not truly reflective of the income a doctor actually earns, because it comes down to how much a doctor charges per hour and how many patients they see.

The Practice Manager’s impact on the clinic’s performance

Mon, 21 Feb 2022 11:34:53 +1000

In this latest episode of the HealthCert Education podcast, Paul Elmslie (Founder & CEO, HealthCert Education and National Skin Cancer Centres) speaks with Mark Lindley (Head of People & Culture, National Skin Cancer Centres) about the role of a Practice Manager in a medical clinic.

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Importance of getting a skin check with Dr John Hall - Conversations with Professor David Wilkinson

Wed, 12 Jan 2022 17:35:16 +1000

Do you educate your patients about the importance of regular skin cancer checks? Catch this latest podcast with Prof David Wilkinson and Dr John Hall on why skin checks are essential for all Australians, and register yourself or your practice for the upcoming Australia’s National Skin Check Day to help save lives!

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In this episode, Prof David Wilkinson (Chief Medical Officer, National Skin Cancer Centres) speaks with Dr John Hall (Past President, Rural Doctors Association of Australia) about the importance of getting a skin cancer check and the upcoming Australia’s National Skin Check Day.

In this insightful podcast, Dr John Hall discusses his research into the early diagnosis of skin cancer in Queensland, and how this demonstrates the importance of regular skin cancer checks for all Australians.

Dr Hall speaks about the Mates Against Melanoma initiative Australia’s National Skin Check Day, upcoming on Thursday, 24 February 2022, which collaborates with general practices and skin cancer clinics to encourage all patients to get their skin checked.

Conversations with Professor David Wilkinson - Treating nail skin cancer with Professor Luc Thomas

Fri, 17 Dec 2021 09:27:56 +1000

Welcome to this podcast series, Conversations with Professor David Wilkinson! In this episode, Prof David Wilkinson (Chief Medical Officer, National Skin Cancer Centres) speaks with Prof Luc Thomas (Professor and Chairman, Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Lyon, France) about how to manage skin cancers of the nail, with a particular focus on their treatment.

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In this insightful podcast, Prof Thomas shares his expert advice and top tips on how to treat nail tumours and skin cancers of the nail. Prof Thomas speaks about the importance of conducting x-ray investigations prior to choosing a treatment approach, as well as the need for a conservative approach to surgical treatment of nail tumours (including squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma) to preserve the digit.

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Professor David Wilkinson is a registered general practitioner and public health medicine specialist. Prior to taking up the role as Chief Medical Officer with National Skin Cancer Centres, he was Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Macquarie University for eight years, and before that was Dean of Medicine at The University of Queensland (UQ) for nine years.

Professor Luc Thomas' main research fields include skin oncology, early diagnosis of melanoma, dermoscopy, skin surgery and nail diseases. He has published more than 400 peer-reviewed scientific articles in international journals, is the co-editor of four books published in several languages and co-author of more than 25 books.

Conversations with Professor David Wilkinson - Diagnosing nail skin cancer with Professor Luc Thomas

Fri, 10 Dec 2021 14:50:47 +1000

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Prof Thomas speaks about differentiating cancers like squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma of the nail from nail fungal infections. The podcast also covers how to biopsy conditions of the nail, including how to perform dermoscopy on the nail to support diagnosis.

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Professor Luc Thomas’ main research fields include skin oncology, early diagnosis of melanoma, dermoscopy, skin surgery and nail diseases. He has published more than 400 peer-reviewed scientific articles in international journals, is the co-editor of four books published in several languages and co-author of more than 25 books.

Atopic Dermatitis in 2021

Thu, 18 Nov 2021 09:56:50 +1000

One in 10 individuals will develop eczema during their lifetime. Listen, as Dr Francis Lai presents on atopic dermatitis in 2021 to hear an update on aetiology and pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis, the general measures to treat this condition, and learn the current best-practice therapies.

Rosacea: Identification and management in primary care

Thu, 18 Nov 2021 09:52:48 +1000

Join specialist Dermatologist Dr Leona Yip as she presents on the identification, causes and treatment of Rosacea in primary care. Commonly misunderstood and misdiagnosed, this widespread condition causes stress and discomfort to hundreds of thousands of people. With more and more patients turning to their GP for dermatological conditions it is imperative for health care professionals to be armed with education and knowledge on a range of conditions and how to treat them in general practice.

Dr Yip will provides her recommendations and treatments for this common skin complaint and frequent presentation. She also covers the ability to understand pharmaceutical treatments vs prescription or when a referral to dermatologists may be required.

Acne - Impact on quality of life & best practice management

Thu, 18 Nov 2021 09:46:08 +1000

In this presentation tailored for GPs, Dr Ryan De Cruz, Dermatologist, shares the best practices to manage to acne. Watch to hear a patient share how his acne impacted his quality of life and learn the treatment options available.

Conversations with Professor David Wilkinson - Medicare billing and records

Thu, 11 Nov 2021 16:30:01 +1000

Welcome to this podcast series, Conversations with Professor David Wilkinson! In this episode, Prof David Wilkinson (Chief Medical Officer, National Skin Cancer Centres) speaks with Matt Woollard (Director of Business Development in Operations, National Skin Cancer Centres) about how to manage Medicare billing and records in a practice.

Lipodissolve injections for submental fat

Thu, 11 Nov 2021 16:23:17 +1000

In this latest podcast, Elena Currie (Co-founder, Aesthetic MET) discusses the cosmetic uses of deoxycholic acid (also known as lipodissolve injections) for submental fat.

Conversations with Professor David Wilkinson - Recruitment

Tue, 26 Oct 2021 12:07:53 +1000

Welcome to this podcast series, Conversations with Professor David Wilkinson! In this episode, Prof David Wilkinson (Chief Medical Officer, National Skin Cancer Centres) speaks with Mark Lindley (Head of People & Culture, National Skin Cancer Centres) about how to recruit staff for your medical practice.

“If you get it right, it transforms [your practice]. If you get it wrong, it drags you down.”

In this insightful podcast, Mark Lindley discusses the challenges of recruiting the right people for your medical practice or business, and how to overcome these challenges.

Some of the key challenges include defining the role (what it is, what the person will deliver, how the person will support the business) and forming the position description.

Mark describes three important areas that need to be covered in a job description: purpose, accountabilities, and skills/competencies.

The podcast also covers how a business can attract the right candidates and present itself as a great place to work, where staff are valued and supported.

Finally, Mark gives his expert advice on the one thing recruiters need to get right.

Hear all this and much more in the full podcast above.

Prescribing medicinal cannabis in general practice

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 11:53:54 +1000

In this latest podcast, Dr Gull Herzberg (Founding Board Member, ANZCCP) and Dr Orit Holtzman (Co-Founder & Vice President, ANZCCP) discuss prescribing medicinal cannabis in general practice in Australia.

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In the podcast, the experienced medicinal cannabis prescribers talk about why they started prescribing medicinal cannabis in their practices – including the need to meet high patient demand – and how they began their journey to find the right education and training in Australia.

The doctors speak about the significant difference medicinal cannabis has made to their practices, their patients and their everyday work. Medicinal cannabis has become an additional tool in their toolkits, opening a whole new world of options, and the doctors are now referral options for their colleagues.

The podcast covers the most common conditions treated with medicinal cannabis, plus how the doctors deal with self-medicating and cannabis-dependent patients.

Learn more in HealthCert’s Certificate Courses in Medicinal Cannabis!