The Australasian College of Dermatologists (ACD) is an accredited specialist medical college comprising medical practitioners with specialist training in dermatology.
Abbreviation | ACD |
---|---|
Formation | 1967 |
Legal status | Non-profit |
Purpose | Education, training, standards and advocacy of dermatologists |
Headquarters | Sydney |
Location |
|
Region served | Australia and New Zealand |
Membership | Doctors |
President | Adj A/Prof David Francis |
Staff | 22 |
Website | www.dermcoll.edu.au |
The Australasian College of Dermatologists was founded in 1967. There are currently over 550 Fellows of the College[1] and over 100 registrars (doctors in training).[citation needed]
The ACD is the only recognised body for training as a dermatologist in Australia.[2][3][4][5] It is a member of the Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges.[6]
Australia and New Zealand have relatively high rates of both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer, thought to be due to combinations of fair-skinned population, temperate to subtropical locations and outdoor lifestyle with high sun exposure.[7]
Traditionally dermatology training was undertaken as part of General Physician training. In the 1960s, dermatologists in NSW and Victoria thought that a separate College was warranted.[citation needed]
The College was inaugurated as the Australian College of Dermatologists on 1 May 1967.[8]
Candidates complete a four-year fellowship to be admitted as a Fellow of the ACD.[citation needed]
Dermatologists are medical specialists and should be differentiated from primary-care doctors who work at "skin screening" clinics. All specialist dermatologists have a very high level of training and practice experience in their field. There is less regulation of primary-care skin clinics where quality and experience may therefore vary.[citation needed]
In New Zealand, advanced training in dermatology can be done through the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.[9]
The ACD publishes The Australasian Journal of Dermatology[10] and position statements (e.g. "Sun Protection and Sunscreen").[11]