A Dermatologist specialises in treating and resolving conditions of the hair, nails, and skin. The study of Dermatology is varied, involving the identification, therapy, and prevention of over 3,000 skin diseases and skin cancers. A significant focus of Dermatologists is treating diseases caused by sun exposure, for example melanoma diagnosis and treatment. 

The skin problems Dermatologists treat and prevent include skin infections, monitoring of moles, eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, problematic sweating, hair and nail disorders, and acne. Some Dermatologists also perform cosmetic procedures or treatments to recover the skin from damage from the sun, such as removing or enhancing the appearance of sunspots. Dermatologists can treat patients from newborns to adolescents to senior adults. 

Aside from the motivation, technical skills and knowledge there are several personal attributes which are highly regarded in top-performing Dermatologists:

• Empathy and compassion: treating patients with respect, especially when delivering complex or delicate news. 
• Strong communicator: with the ability to deliver findings and treatment recommendations clearly and accurately to both patients and other health professionals such as nurses, pharmacists, and GPs.
• The ability to multi-task: the ability to balance supporting wider facility departments whilst managing patients in a high-demand role.

Most clinical Dermatology pathway programs are completed over several consistent years of training, and there’s good reason for this. While it is possible to break up your training across a longer timeframe, it is not recommended. When trainees break for periods greater than 12-24 months, some examinations and course materials will need to be re-completed or re-examined. 

Approximately 3 trainees were chosen for the Dermatology training program in 2021 out of 89 eligible applicants. There are currently 552 specialists in Australia.

There are countless reasons why North Queensland is one of the best places on the planet to work, live, and study. No matter what stage or age you are in, North Queensland offers a great balance between work and leisure. 

Visitors and residents find the North Queensland lifestyle relaxed and laid-back. The people are friendly and welcoming. There are plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities such as swimming, surfing, fishing, and hiking, and when the sun goes down, there are also many bars, restaurants, and cafes to enjoy. 

North Queensland has the convenience of cities close by, all of which have reasonable housing costs and expansive landscapes to explore nearby. The region combines quality education and the chance to pursue a relaxed or adventurous lifestyle, depending on your preference. The area has a warm climate all year round, beautiful beaches and rainforests, and is home to a diverse range of cultures and lifestyles, making Northern Queensland hard to beat. 

Each regional centre in North Queensland is small enough to escape the crowded nature of big city living, but they still have enough going on for you to socialise and entertain yourself. And with short commute times putting more hours back into your workday, you’ll have plenty of time to explore when offered the chance.

Networking and industry social opportunities frequently happen due to the tight-knit and collaborative nature of the health and hospital communities here. The vision to improve the health of the communities throughout the region, unites the students, interns, junior doctors, and specialists training and working here. Together we hope to address the shortage of doctors in North Queensland.

Our training region ensures trainees have access to a wide range of hospital and health settings of varying sizes and capabilities offering a diverse case load and case mix. These training areas include the following health service areas: Cairns, Central West, Mackay, North West, Torres and Cape, and Townsville.

References  

• https://southderm.com.au/about/what-is-a-dermatologist/#:~:text=Dermatologists%20%E2%80%93%20An%20Overview,nail%20disorders%2C%20and%20occupational%20dermatitis
• https://www.aad.org/public/fad/what-is-a-derm
• https://www.dermcoll.edu.au/for-health-professionals/becoming-a-dermatologist/the-training-program/
• https://medinav.health.qld.gov.au/careers/dermatology/dermatology/