How to improve dermatology teaching and learning at the undergraduate level? Recommendations by a faculty panel of Kerala state Branch of the Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists, and Leprologists

The undergraduate dermatology curriculum and teaching have to reflect the sea of changes that the specialty has undergone in recent years. In tune with this, the Kerala branch of the Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists, and Leprologists (IADVL-K) planned an initiative to draft an advocacy document containing recommendations to improve the standard of undergraduate training, especially with regard to the implementation of competency-based medical education and training of attitude, ethics, and communication skills (AETCOM). A four-member panel was constituted by the state president for this purpose. The committee conducted virtual discussions and consultations with experts, following which a draft advocacy document was prepared on which suggestions from all members of IADVL Kerala were sought. Four core areas of change in undergraduate dermatology teaching and learning along with the agencies that could initiate such changes were identified. This initiative from a professional organization has attempted to harness opinions of the faculty of dermatology of an entire state and provide important insights into the direction in which undergraduate dermatology training should be oriented in the coming years in our country.

How to improve dermatology teaching and learning at the postgraduate level: Recommendations by a faculty panel of Kerala state branch of the Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists, and Leprologists

The perception about dermatology as a specialty has considerably changed over time, and this change has to be reflected in post-graduate (PG) curriculum and teaching methods. To keep up with the changing times and advancements in medical education, a four-member committee was constituted by IADVL (Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists) Kerala to propose modifications in the existing PG teaching program. The enclave identified five core areas in PG teaching of dermatology and suggested changes in the existing model. Academics and teaching-learning (TL) methods, research and publishing, quality of life of PG students, assessment, and structural changes in PG departments were the areas where suggestions were made. A holistic approach to dermatology teaching incorporating newer TL methods was proposed. The importance of better capacity building and provision of opportunities for research was emphasized. The need to modify the prevailing methods of assessment was identified. It was also acknowledged that amendments need to be made at the faculty level too, and propositions were made in that aspect as well. It would require a coordinated effort among the universities, institutions, teachers, and professional organization to further fine-tune and implement these suggestions.

Facilitating the practice of dermatology in Kerala – Recommendations by an expert panel of Kerala State Branch of The Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists, and Leprologists

Dermatology is a rapidly growing specialty. Dermatology practice has become increasingly complex. The average dermatology practitioner is faced with an explosion of scientific knowledge and would also have to deal with diverse issues such as finance, medicolegal issues, taxation, marketing, and regulatory acts. Updating knowledge and micromanaging clinic-related issues are major concerns for a practicing dermatologist. Kerala state branch of the Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists, and Leprologists can serve the interests of this group of members by helping out in training, faculty development, and research. This document presents a road map for such an initiative.

Triaging Patients Undergoing Endoscopy During COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract"Triaging for endoscopy" is the process to determine the most deserving patients after careful scrutiny amongst a pool of patients who report for Gastrointestinal (GI) Endoscopy diagnostic or interventional procedures that include Esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (OGD), Colonoscopy, ERCP, EUS and Enteroscopy. The purpose of triaging at endoscopy is to prevent transmission of SARS-COV2 infection from suspected patient to the health care workers involved at endoscopy. The three professional Indian Gastroenterology bodies namely Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy of India (SGEI), Indian Society of Gastroenterology (ISG) & Indian Association for the study of the liver (INASL) have recently provided guidance of scheduling of endoscopic procedures in the current Covid-9 pandemic. Similar suggestions have been promulgated by other international bodies.