Pre-Conferences

There will be three Pre-Conference Workshops:

Pre-Conference Workshop: An Introduction to Dermoscopy

May 2, 2024, 12:00 - 5:00 PM

This interactive workshop focuses on dermatological assessments and advancing practitioner lesion recognition skills via thorough history taking, visual clues and further investigations to improve patient outcomes.

It includes an introduction to using a dermatoscope in clinical practice and formulating appropriate management plans and referral pathways for cutaneous lesions.

**There will be an opportunity to explore patient case studies (provided by attendees), so please do bring these along to discuss as a group. See below for recommendations on how to present the case study.

 

PRESENTED BY Belinda Longhurst, BSc (Hons), PGCert, FHEA, FFPM RCPS(Glasg)

Belinda qualified as a podiatrist in 2003 and was awarded a First-Class Honours degree with Distinction by the University of Southampton.

She is a Podiatry lecturer for the SMAE Institute`s BSc (Hons) Podiatry degree programme and is a Fellow of both the Higher Education Academy and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow.

Belinda has a special interest in Podiatric Dermatology and has frequently presented her published work at both national and international conferences.

She is also a joint course provider for the Royal College of Podiatry Skin Surgery Course (extended scope of practice) and is a Trustee and Volunteer Coordinator for the Registered charity Forgotten Feet, which offers free footcare to the homeless and socially isolated.

Belinda is keen to promote the upskilling of Foot Health Practitioners and Podiatrists in lesion recognition skills to improve the prognosis for people with cutaneous malignancies.

 

When presenting a case study the following format is recommended:

Photos (with patient consent):

  • Always take at least 2 photos. The first should be an establishing image of the entire foot to identify which part of the foot you are photographing to provide context. Next a close-up image or a series of close-up images should be taken with a scale and then, if possible, an image with a dermatoscope.
  • When taking a photograph, the camera needs to be parallel to the lesion. Make sure your cameras macro setting is on and get as close as possible so that the dermatoglyphics (skin lines) can be seen and in focus.

Patient and lesion history:

Taking a full history includes noting details of both the patient and the presenting condition. Without these details, it`s a potentially harmful guessing game.

Describe the patient:

  • Age
  • Occupation (footwear, exposure to carcinogens, allergens)
  • Social/recreational activities (smoking, sports, alcohol consumption, etc)
  • General medical history (including systemic conditions, allergies, and previous malignancies)
  • Current medication (including topical treatments and alternative/herbal therapies)
  • Familial medical history (including all auto-immune disorders and malignancies)

Describe the condition (OLD CARTS):

  • Onset (rapid, slow, acute, etc)
  • Location (anatomically)
  • Duration (date it started, how it started, is it continuous or intermittent?)
  • Character (describe the *lesion: shape, colour, size, texture, type of pain, itch, etc)
  • Aggravating factors (conditions or medications which made it worse)
  • Relieving factors (conditions or medications which improved it)
  • Treatments (oral and topical meds, duration, and frequency)
  • Severity (is it impacting quality of life?)

*A lesion is an abnormal appearance of skin, compared to surrounding skin. Describing the appearance of the lesion provides a systematic approach to compare progression or regression and duration of lesions.

When assessing the character of a lesion, consider:

  • Lesion configuration (pattern or shape) – linear, annular, clustered or symmetrical? Raised, flat or fluid-filled? Ulcerative, hyperkeratotic or fissuring?
  • Texture – palpate the lesion, is it soft and wobbly or hard and firm? Superficial or deep? Does it blanch? Is it macerated or scaly?
  • Colour – red, purple, blue, brown, slate-black, etc
  • Morphology - site, distribution & extent of lesions(s)

 


Pre-Conference Workshop: The Neurosensory Foot - A Functional Approach to Foot Rehab

May 2, 2024, 12:00 - 5:00 PM

Often appreciated for its biomechanical function, the human foot is also a powerful sensory and fascial-based structure.  

Join functional podiatrist and human movement specialist Dr Emily Splichal as she explores a neurosensory approach to common foot conditions and foot rehab.  

Get ready to learn about mechanoception vs. proprioception, foot-based fascial lines, foot to core sequencing plus more.  

This workshop will involve both theory and practical portions. 

Participants will receive a certificate of  "Level 1 Neurosensory Specialist Certification"

 

PRESENTED BY Dr. Splichal 

Dr. Emily Splichal, Functional Podiatrist and Human Movement Specialist, is the Founder of EBFA Global, Author of Barefoot Strong and CEO/Founder of Naboso Technology

With over 23 years in the fitness industry, Dr Splichal has dedicated her medical career towards studying postural alignment and human movement as it relates to barefoot science, foot to core integration and sensory integration

 


Pre-Conference CPR Workshop

May 2, 2024, 6:00 - 9:00 PM

The Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR course teaches all CPR skills plus advanced skills which meet national protocols and guidelines. In accordance with The Heart and Stroke Foundation, the BLS certification is valid for 1 year. The course is the most advanced form of CPR training and has been created for those working or plan to be working in sectors of the Health Care Industry. You will learn the skills outlined below:

  • Artificial Respiration (rescue breathing)
  • Covers all CPR Levels as well as 2-person Baby CPR
  • Adult/Child/Baby CPR – one rescuer
  • Adult/Child/Baby choking
  • Barrier devices/pocket masks
  • Adult/Child/Baby 2-rescuer CPR
  • Automated External Defibrillation (AED)
  • Bag Valve Mask (BVM) Training