Here are some key considerations:-
In recent years a number of parties have come on board running workshops on skin cancer surgical techniques. None can compete with the history and quality of our events. Consider these issues:-
Full time or part time?
Are the presenters of the workshop full time in skin cancer medicine or part time? There are people running workshops for whom skin cancer is a very small part of their career. Those passionate about skin cancer invariably end up doing nothing but skin cancer. Our presenters are all full time skin cancer doctors and many are internationally recognised experts. They focus only on this one developing subspecialty of medicine. Our presenters don't mix their skin cancer practice with cosmetic surgery, managing inflammatory skin diseases or other medical practice interests.
Training in skin cancer?
In Australia there is no qualification in skin cancer more rigorous than the ACSCM Fellowship. The Fellowship pass rate is low as we continue to certify only the few doctors who reach this highest level of expertise in skin cancer management. Without three years of full time study and experience in skin cancer and skin cancer surgery, passing the ACSCM Fellowship would be near impossible. In contrast, skin cancer is estimated to be less than 20% of the Dermatology and Plastic Surgery training requirements in Australia. We do not permit doctors to lead presentations at workshops under the ACSCM name unless they are certified College Fellows. We adhere firmly to our moto, "Excellence in skin cancer medicine".
Surgical skills?
Our Fellows are all well trained & experienced in all aspects of skin cancer surgery. They manage defects on the lips, ears, nose, eyelids, fingers, legs, etc,. Indeed extensive experience in all of these areas is a training & log book requirement prior to sitting the Fellowship examination.
Failure rate?
ACSCM will not pass those that do not meet the required certificate, diploma or fellowship standards. Attendance at a weekend event does not entitle an attendee to any certification. Our qualifications will never be of the lowest common denominator type.
History?
The program has been repeatedly tailored and updated over many years. We have identified key aspects of skin cancer training for doctors at various levels of expertise. We have matched the programs to the requirements of the doctors wishing to learn. The lectures and modules have been revised at least yearly as research changes management and as management priorities have evolved. Our workshops remain up to date. If research was published last week that affects management of skin cancer, it will be reflected in our courses.
What fellowship?
There are some presenters at other workshops who have a "fellowship" from another organisation that was simply handed to them. There was no exam, no experience requirement and no training. This is a far cry from the Fellowship of ACSCM. The rigour of the Fellowship determines the rigour of the College. Doctors teaching skin cancer should be appropriately certified, not self proclaimed experts or "pat each other on the back" experts.
Quality?
In short, our workshops are about quality. A quality program presented by true authorities in this medical subspecialty with a certification program of the highest rigour. There really is no comparison with many other workshops out there. Our programs are all about "Excellence in skin cancer medicine".