Mission Statement

To increase Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Physician Assistants (PAs) knowledge in areas of medical and cosmetic dermatology in order to enable the Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Physician Assistants (PAs) to provide better care for their patients.

Program Rationale

The Dermatology landscape is ever changing. There have been significant advances with regards to the diagnosis, management and treatment of both medical and cosmetic dermatologic conditions. NPs and PAs require targeted education regarding the proper management of these conditions.

Target Audience

This educational activity is designed for NPs and PAs who specialize in dermatology.

Overall Learning Objectives

1. Review the pathogenesis of various dermatological conditions such as infectious diseases, nail disorders, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, acne vulgaris, rosacea, hidradenitis, contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, eczema, actinic keratoses, melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer, pediatric skin disorders, connective tissue disorders, granulomatous disorders of the skin, autoimmune blistering diseases, leg ulcers, oral lesions and life-threatening dermatoses such as TEN in order to accurately diagnose and improve upon the management of these conditions in patients
2. Cite the mechanisms of action of various drugs, including topical and systemic therapies, as well as immunomodulatory agents that are commonly prescribed by the nurse practitioner and physician assistant practicing in dermatology and identify patients in your practice for whom these therapies may be appropriate
3. Define appropriate outcome measures for the optimal follow-up of patients with dermatologic diseases as well as those receiving surgical and cosmetic procedures in order to set realistic expectations and maximize therapeutic outcomes
4. Describe potential adverse events, safety, tolerance and resistance issues that may be related to the use of various drugs and therapies prescribed by clinicians in dermatology as well as therapeutic modalities including: topical and systemic corticosteroids, newer biologic agents, including TNF antagonists, T-cell targeted therapies, anti-IL-12/23 therapies, IL-23 & IL-17 antibodies, systemic and topical PDE4 inhibitors, JAK inhibitors, anti-IgE and anti-IL 4 receptor, anti B-cell therapies, retinoids, methotrexate, cyclosporine, systemic and topical acne/rosacea/hidradenitis suppuritiva therapies, oral and topical antibiotics, antifungals, anti-virals, antihistamines, calcineurin inhibitors, topical skin lightening agents, sunscreens, topical and systemic retinoids, 5-fluorouracil, imiquimod,  ingenol mebutate, diclofenac, hedgehog pathway inhibitors, BRAF/MEK inhibitors, CTLA-4 and PD-1 inhibitors, botulinum toxins, dermal filler agents including hyaluronic acid, collagen, polylactic acid, hydroxyappetite based fillers, and photodynamic therapy, and implement appropriate management strategies in order to reduce these adverse effects and optimize patient outcomes
5. Assess the data around emerging and novel therapeutics for a variety of dermatologic diseases and develop treatment algorithms and management strategies for the optimal use of these therapies
6. Discuss the importance of clinician/patient communication regarding benefit versus risk, patient satisfaction, and adherence when selecting therapies for patients