20676 - Cutaneous and Venereal Diseases (B)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, the student is familiar with and able to manage the most common:

• inflammatory dermatological diseases;
• dermatological diseases of infectious and parasitic origin;
• precancerous conditions and malignant cutaneous and mucosal neoplasms;
• sexually transmitted diseases.

Course contents

• Introduction to Dermatology

• General principles
• Anatomy and physiology of the skin, semi-mucous membranes, and oral mucosa.
• Recognition of elementary primary and secondary skin and mucosal signs and lesions.
• Performing a dermatological physical examination.
• Identifying conditions in which it is useful or necessary to request a specialist dermatological consultation.
• Providing a general description of the technical procedures for performing a skin biopsy.

Infectious Diseases of Dermatological Interest

• Clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of dermatological diseases of infectious (viral, bacterial, and fungal) and parasitic origin.
• Recognizing, or at least suspecting, and describing the clinical manifestations of the main bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.
• Teaching how to prepare a microscopic sample for the detection of fungi and yeasts.

Toxic-Allergic Dermatoses

• Clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of toxic-allergic dermatological diseases.
• Recognizing the symptoms of urticaria-angioedema syndromes, understanding their pathogenesis, and investigating their causes.
• Recognizing, or at least suspecting, cutaneous manifestations of toxic or allergic drug reactions and prescribing appropriate diagnostic tests and treatment.
• Classifying purpuras according to their pathogenesis.

Autoimmune Diseases

• Clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of connective tissue diseases and bullous dermatoses.
• Recognizing the clinical presentation and identifying the most common causes of autoimmune blistering diseases (pemphigus, bullous pemphigoid, dermatitis herpetiformis).
• Teaching how to prepare a microscopic sample for cytological examination.

Inflammatory Dermatoses

• Clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of inflammatory dermatoses.
• Recognizing, or at least suspecting, the clinical manifestations of lichen planus, perioral dermatitis, cheilitis, and dermatological conditions involving the oral cavity.

Allergic Dermatoses

• Clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of allergic dermatoses.
• Describing the main characteristics of irritant contact dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, and atopic dermatitis.
• Providing guidance on prescriptions and describing the procedures for performing, reading, and interpreting allergological skin tests.

Skin and Oral Mucosal Tumors

• Clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment
• Classifying and recognizing, or at least suspecting, elementary lesions associated with benign tumors and precancerous conditions.
• Classifying and defining nevi and melanoma.
• Describing the general aspects, epidemiology, etiopathogenesis, natural history, morphological features, and staging of nevi and melanoma.
• Teaching how to perform dermoscopy.
• Indicating the preferred surgical therapeutic approaches for different types of skin tumors and describing the procedures for surgical excision of lesions.

Readings/Bibliography

Practical Guide to Dermatology and Venereology by Claudio Feliciani, Piccin Editore.

Dermatology and Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 3rd Edition, Pippione, Minerva Medica.

Teaching methods

The teaching activities consist of classroom-based lectures supported by multimedia tools and PowerPoint presentations.

The educational pathway also includes the opportunity to attend the outpatient clinics of the Complex Unit of Dermatology and the Simple Departmental Unit of Oncological Dermatology, in order to integrate theoretical knowledge with the observation and discussion of clinical cases.

Given the nature of the activities and the teaching methods adopted, attendance at outpatient clinical activities is subject to the completion of Modules 1 and 2 of the health and safety training for study environments, delivered through e-learning, as well as participation in Module 3 of the specific training program.

Information regarding the dates and procedures for attending Module 3 is available in the dedicated section of the Degree Programme website.

Assessment methods

The assessment of learning consists of an oral examination, during which one or more questions will be asked on the topics included in the syllabus of each of the two courses that make up the Integrated Course: Skin Diseases and Plastic Surgery.

To pass the Integrated Course, students must achieve a satisfactory evaluation in both courses. The final grade is expressed out of thirty and corresponds to the weighted average of the grades obtained in the two disciplines.

The oral examination is aimed at assessing the student’s level of knowledge of the course content, the ability to apply acquired knowledge, to establish appropriate logical and deductive connections between the topics covered, and to use correct scientific terminology. The number of questions may vary depending on the level of preparation and depth of understanding demonstrated by the student during the oral examination.

The examination is designed to assess the achievement of the following educational objectives:

• knowledge of the clinical-diagnostic pathway for the main dermatological diseases;
• knowledge of the main instrumental diagnostic methods used in dermatology;
• knowledge of the operating principles of the instruments used in the Histopathology and Ultrastructural Diagnostics Laboratory;
• knowledge of the main topical and systemic therapies for the dermatological diseases covered during the course.

Grading criteria

• Preparation on a very limited number of topics covered during the course, with analytical skills emerging only with the support of the lecturer, and overall correct use of language → 18–19/30;
• Preparation on a limited number of topics covered during the course, with independent analytical skills only in purely practical/executive matters, and correct use of language → 20–24/30;
• Preparation on a broad range of topics covered during the course, ability to make independent critical analytical choices, and mastery of specific terminology → 25–29/30;
• Substantially comprehensive preparation on the topics covered during the course, ability to make independent critical analyses and connections, full mastery of specific terminology, and ability to provide well-structured arguments and self-reflection → 30/30 with honours (cum laude).

Teaching tools

The teaching materials used during the course will be made available to students on the Virtuale platform.

The educational activities also include the opportunity to undertake practical training at the Complex Unit of Dermatology and the Simple Departmental Unit of Oncological Dermatology.

Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or with temporary or permanent disabilities are encouraged to promptly contact the relevant University Office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it ).

The Office will propose any necessary adjustments, which must be submitted for approval to the lecturer at least 15 days in advance. Approval will be assessed in relation to the learning objectives of the course.

Office hours

See the website of Michela Valeria Rita Starace