2027 Dermatologic Procedures Course Description

Course Credits: Earn up to 15.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ and AAFP Prescribed Credits.

Course Price: $1,795

Dermatologic Procedures is a two-day course.

Skin conditions are common concerns encountered in primary care, and many dermatologic procedures can be appropriately performed in the office setting. This comprehensive two-day CME course provides practical education and hands-on training in the evaluation and treatment of common skin conditions and the performance of dermatologic procedures relevant to primary care.

Participants will learn approaches to evaluating skin lesions, determining when biopsy or treatment is appropriate, and recognizing when referral for subspecialty care is indicated. Procedural education includes skin anesthesia, common nerve blocks, punch, tangential (shave), and curettage biopsy techniques, cryosurgery, electrosurgery, surgical excisions and repairs, and dermoscopy. The course also addresses procedural coding and practical considerations for incorporating dermatologic procedures into clinical practice.

Additional education focuses on the diagnosis and management of common benign, sun-damaged, and malignant skin lesions, including warts, skin tags, cysts, lipomas, seborrheic keratoses, actinic keratoses, keratoacanthomas, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma. Participants will also learn to identify lesions that may be appropriately treated in the primary care setting and those that warrant referral for subspecialty care, including Mohs surgery.

A variety of educational methods are used throughout the course, including didactic instruction, clinical photographs, procedural videos, faculty demonstration, group discussion, and hands-on skills practice. Learners will practice selected dermatologic procedures using non-synthetic tissue and other appropriate training models. Evidence from the medical literature is incorporated throughout the course to support clinically relevant approaches to diagnosis, treatment, and procedural care.

Day One begins with an overview of dermatologic procedures and a patient-centered approach to incorporating skin procedures into primary care. Participants will learn techniques for minimizing patient discomfort through local and field block anesthesia and review approaches to common nerve blocks. Hands-on sessions provide opportunities to practice punch, tangential, and curettage biopsy techniques using non-synthetic tissue models.

Participants will also review the indications, contraindications, potential complications, and techniques associated with cryosurgery and electrosurgery and practice these procedures during hands-on sessions. Additional instruction addresses the diagnosis and procedural management of common benign skin lesions.

Day Two begins with an introduction to dermoscopy in the primary care setting. Learners will use dermatoscopes to examine skin lesions and identify relevant colors, structures, and patterns while applying systematic approaches to lesion evaluation.

The course continues with the evaluation and treatment of sun-damaged skin lesions followed by hands-on instruction in surgical skin excision and repair techniques using non-synthetic tissue models. Participants will then review the recognition, evaluation, and treatment of non-melanoma skin cancers and malignant melanoma.

The course concludes with an interactive review of dermatologic procedure coding and practical guidance for developing an individualized plan to incorporate appropriate dermatologic procedures into clinical practice.

Hands-on and Demonstrated Procedures

  • Skin anesthesia
  • Common nerve blocks
  • Skin biopsy techniques
  • Cryosurgery
  • Electrosurgery
  • Surgical excisions and repairs
  • Dermoscopy
  • Procedural coding

By the end of this educational activity, learners should be better able to:

  • Diagnose common and important dermatologic conditions in their patient populations.
  • Perform common dermatologic procedures, including skin anesthesia, skin lesion biopsy, cryosurgery, electrosurgery, and dermoscopy.
  • Identify skin lesions that should be biopsied and those that may be surgically treated in the office.
  • Describe the diagnosis and treatment of common benign and malignant skin lesions.
  • Discuss when to refer patients for subspecialty care, including Mohs surgery.
  • Apply appropriate coding and billing principles for dermatologic procedures and identify common pitfalls.
  • Develop a plan for implementing dermatologic procedures in clinical practice.
2027 Course Accreditation

The Texas Academy of Family Physicians designates this live activity for a maximum of 15.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Application for CME credit has been filed with the American Academy of Family Physicians. Determination of credit is pending.

Learn more about our accreditation.

7:30 – 8 a.m.

  • Registration and breakfast

Day One

8 – 8:30 a.m. — 0.5 CME Credits
Overview of Dermatologic Procedures

  • Review common dermatologic procedures that primary care clinicians can perform in practice.
  • Describe the advantages and disadvantages of performing skin procedures in primary care.

8:30 – 10:15 a.m. — 1.75 CME Credits
Skin Anesthesia

  • Describe techniques for minimizing patient discomfort during skin procedures.
  • Explain the three primary methods of providing skin anesthesia.
  • Perform direct local injections and field block injections using non-synthetic tissue models.
  • Describe techniques for performing nerve blocks of the digits and facial nerves.

10:15 – 10:30 a.m. — Break

10:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. — 1.75 CME Credits
Skin Biopsies – Hands-on Session

  • Identify indications for skin biopsies.
  • Recognize potential pitfalls and complications of skin biopsies.
  • Perform punch, tangential (shave), and curettage biopsies using non-synthetic models.
  • Develop an appropriate plan for treatment and follow-up care after a skin biopsy.

12:15 – 1 p.m. — Lunch

1 – 2:15 p.m. — 1.25 CME Credits
Cryosurgery – Hands-on Session

  • Identify indications and contraindications for cryosurgery procedures.
  • Recognize potential pitfalls and complications of cryosurgery.
  • Select the appropriate method of liquid nitrogen application, including dipstick and open spray techniques.
  • Perform open spray techniques using gelatin plate models.

2:15 – 3:15 p.m. — 1 CME Credit
Benign Skin Lesions

  • Describe the diagnosis and procedural management of common benign skin lesions, including warts, skin tags, cysts, ganglions, lipomas, prurigo nodularis, fibromas, granulomas, and others.

3:15 – 3:30 p.m. — Break

3:30 – 5 p.m. — 1.5 CME Credits
Electrosurgery – Hands-on Session

  • Identify indications and contraindications for electrosurgery procedures.
  • Recognize potential pitfalls and complications of electrosurgery.
  • Select the appropriate method of electrosurgery.
  • Practice electrosurgical techniques using hyfrecators and surgical cutting equipment on non-synthetic models.

Day Two

8 – 10 a.m. — 2 CME Credits
Dermoscopy – Hands-on Session

  • Define dermoscopy and compare and contrast the two types of dermatoscopes.
  • Identify colors and structures visualized with a dermatoscope.
  • Describe the 3-point checklist and 2-step algorithm.
  • Describe the role of dermoscopy in detecting skin cancers, particularly melanoma.
  • Practice using a dermatoscope to examine skin lesions and identify relevant colors, structures, and patterns.

10 – 10:15 a.m. — Break

10:15 – 10:45 a.m. — 0.5 CME Credits
Sun-Damaged Skin Lesions

  • Describe the diagnosis and procedural management of sun-damaged skin lesions, including seborrheic keratosis, dermatosis papulosa nigra, stucco keratosis, actinic keratosis, actinic cheilitis, cutaneous horns, and keratoacanthomas.

10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. — 1.5 CME Credits
Skin Excisions and Repairs – Hands-on Session

  • Identify the instruments and supplies needed for surgical skin excisions and repairs.
  • Discuss methods used to reduce skin tension on a surgical wound.
  • Perform surgical excision and repair techniques using non-synthetic tissue.

12:15 – 1 p.m. — Lunch

1 – 2:15 p.m. — 1.25 CME Credits
Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers

  • Identify types of non-melanoma cutaneous cancers, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, basosquamous carcinoma, and Merkel cell carcinoma.
  • Describe the clinical features of each cutaneous malignancy.
  • Explain current treatment options for non-melanoma skin cancers.

2:15 – 3:15 p.m. — 1 CME Credit
Early Malignant Melanoma – A Family Physician’s Perspective

  • Describe the incidence and mortality associated with malignant melanoma.
  • Identify the clinical and historical features of melanoma.
  • Describe the principles of melanoma staging.
  • Review treatment options for melanoma.

3:15 – 3:30 p.m. — Break

3:30 – 4:30 p.m. — 1 CME Credit
Medical Procedure Coding for Skin Procedures

  • Explain the importance of accurately coding dermatologic procedures.
  • Apply appropriate codes that reflect the procedures performed and services provided.
  • Use the provided coding matrix to accurately code common dermatologic procedure scenarios.

4:30 – 5 p.m. — 0.5 CME Credits
Putting It All Together

  • Determine which dermatologic procedures to offer based on the needs of the clinical practice and patient population.
  • Describe the elements of a successful dermatologic procedures program in clinical practice.
  • Apply concepts and resources provided in the course to integrate dermatologic knowledge and procedural skills into clinical practice.

TOTAL CME CREDITS: 15.50

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