In skin cancer surgery, the humble curette is a familiar tool, but how effective is curettage on its own as a definitive treatment? In this episode of Life by a Thousand Cuts, A/Prof Tony Dicker takes a closer look at a new study published in Dermatologic Surgery exploring five-year recurrence rates following curettage-only management of keratinocyte carcinomas.

In the episode, A/Prof Dicker covers:

If you have ever wondered whether curettage alone can stand up as a reliable primary treatment option, this episode offers useful insights drawn from recent evidence and practical interpretation.

Watch this episode here.

This podcast series is designed to help you enhance your clinical decision-making, procedural skills, and confidence in skin cancer management. Focus on real-world cases, surgical techniques and tips, journal article reviews, diagnostic and management insights, and guest interviews with GPs and specialists.

🎓 Certificate Courses in Skin Cancer

Looking to practise responsibly and confidently in aesthetic medicine? In this episode of HealthCert's The Aesthetic Shift podcast series, Kelly Beasy breaks down one of the most important (and often misunderstood) concepts in clinical practice: scope of practice.

Whether you are a nurse, nurse practitioner, or doctor, your scope of practice isn’t fixed. It evolves with your education, competence, authority, and clinical context. But defining and maintaining that scope is essential to patient safety, professional integrity, and legal compliance.

In the episode, Kelly explores what “scope of practice” really means outside the hospital setting, where roles can vary widely and clinicians often set their own boundaries. She discusses:

Watch this episode here.

Next steps in your learning journey

🎓 Certificate Courses in Aesthetic Medicine

Dr John O’Bryen delivers an insightful presentation for GPs on practical, evidence-based approaches to diagnosing, managing, and preventing actinic keratosis in the general practice setting.

As part of HealthCert Education's Masterclasses in Dermoscopy and Skin Cancer Surgery in Brisbane in August 2025, Skin Cancer Doctor John O'Bryen delivered an informative talk (in collaboration with La Roche Posay) on the primary care management of actinic keratosis, from diagnosis and management to prevention and patient education.

💡 You can also watch the video here.

🎓 Certificate Courses in Skin Cancer Medicine

Confused by the latest MBS changes? From 1 July 2025, Medicare introduced major updates in women’s health and chronic disease management, including new item numbers for menopause health assessments and revised chronic condition care plans.

In this HealthCert GP Update, Dr Simone Gonzo unpacks how to apply the new Medicare item numbers in women’s health and chronic disease, providing a clear, practical overview tailored for busy GPs.

What you will learn

In a practical, case-based approach to the latest MBS changes, Dr Simon Gonzo uses real-world scenarios to demonstrate how to:

This session will help you feel confident that your documentation meets Medicare standards, while making the most of new funded opportunities in women’s health and chronic disease care.

Next steps in your learning journey

Explore 400 short CPD modules in focused topics in Women's Health, Chronic Disease, and more. Complete in less than 10 hours! ➡️ Browse Micro-Courses >

Our university-assured, structured pathways to elevate your knowledge in Women's Health or Chronic Disease & Conditions. ➡️ Explore Certificate Courses >

Prefer flexible learning across many topics? Access 4,000+ CPD hours on-demand with HealthCert 365 — anytime, any topic, one flat annual fee. ➡️ Discover HealthCert 365 >

When media reports suggest that sunscreens “fail” SPF testing, GPs are often the first to field patients' concerns. In this episode of Life by a Thousand Cuts, A/Prof Tony Dicker takes a closer look at recent media controversies and applies a clinical lens to discuss whether sunscreens work and are safe to use. In the episode, he discusses SPF testing and how it is not absolute; small variations in testing conditions or sample batches can change results, even among regulated products. Despite this, Australia’s regulatory standards remain among the most stringent globally; unlike in many other countries, sunscreens are classed as therapeutic goods and regulated by the TGA.

A “failed” SPF test result doesn’t necessarily mean a product is unsafe or ineffective. It often reflects marginal variation rather than complete loss of protection. Affected manufacturers have acted responsibly by voluntarily withdrawing products to investigate further, which is an important sign of quality control, not negligence.

A/Prof Dicker reiterates that GPs play a vital role in patient reassurance and countering misinformation, since sunscreen remains a key element of skin cancer prevention, alongside other sun safety measures like shade and clothing.

“Some sun protection is better than none. The world isn’t black and white — it’s grey. Understanding that nuance helps us guide patients confidently.” - A/Prof Tony Dicker

Watch this episode here.

This podcast series is designed to help you enhance your clinical decision-making, procedural skills, and confidence in skin cancer management. Focus on real-world cases, surgical techniques and tips, journal article reviews, diagnostic and management insights, and guest interviews with GPs and specialists.

🎓 Certificate Courses in Skin Cancer

In this episode of HealthCert's The Aesthetic Shift podcast series, Kelly Beasy sits down with Dr Amanda Sabel, a GP and aesthetic practitioner from Western Australia, to share their advice on blending women’s health with aesthetic medicine.

Dr Sabel shares how her own experience navigating perimenopause became the catalyst for building a clinic where women’s health is front and centre, and how she has combined this with her background in aesthetics to deliver holistic care for her patients.

Together, Kelly and Dr Sabel explore:

If you are a GP or nurse practitioner looking to expand your scope and support women through all stages of life, this conversation offers insights into what is possible both clinically and professionally.

Watch this episode here.

Next steps in your learning journey

🎓 Certificate Courses in Aesthetic Medicine

In this episode of Life by A Thousand Cuts podcast, A/Prof Tony Dicker takes a closer look at a new study comparing wound closures using glue versus sutures on the trunk and limbs.

The research, published in Dermatologic Surgery, followed patients for 12 months to see which method produced the better scar. The findings might surprise you, and could change how you think about surface closures in your own practice.

A/Prof Dicker unpacks the study design, discusses what the results really mean for doctors treating skin cancers, and reflects on how factors like tissue reactivity, closure technique, and anatomical site can all influence cosmetic outcomes.

Tune in to hear his take on when glue might have an edge, what to watch for in your own closures, and why even small technique choices can make a difference over time.

Watch this episode here.

This podcast series is designed to help you enhance your clinical decision-making, procedural skills, and confidence in skin cancer management. Focus on real-world cases, surgical techniques and tips, journal article reviews, diagnostic and management insights, and guest interviews with GPs and specialists.

🎓 Certificate Courses in Skin Cancer

In this episode of Life by A Thousand Cuts podcast, A/Prof Tony Dicker sits down with Dr Ian Katz, a dual-trained pathologist and founder of several skin cancer clinics, to explore one of the most debated topics in skin cancer management: margins.

Dr Katz shares his unique perspective as both a pathologist and a clinician, reflecting on why confusion around margins persists, and how GPs can better interpret pathology reports in practice.

They discuss:

Clinical vs histological margins: Guidelines are based on clinical margins, not what’s measured under the microscope. A “1.5mm histological clearance” isn’t the same thing as a “5mm clinical margin.”

Measurement variability: Pathology reports aren’t exact science. A “2mm margin” often means “2mm ± 1–2mm.” Numbers give guidance, but they’re not absolute.

What really matters: In many cases, being histologically one cell clear is enough. The reason we aim wider is due to uncertainty, because we only ever see a small fraction of the specimen under the microscope.

Managing uncertainty: Skin cancer surgery comes with ambiguity. If you are someone who struggles to sleep without a precise answer, skin cancer work can feel uncomfortable. Understanding the limits of pathology helps.

Communication counts: Clear request forms (with the prior diagnosis, margin status, and level of clinical suspicion) make it easier for pathologists to provide meaningful reports.

This discussion is about bridging the gap between the clinical and pathology worlds, and recognising that margins are less about chasing numbers, and more about good clinical judgement, clear reporting, and thoughtful follow-up.

Watch this episode here.

This podcast series is designed to help you enhance your clinical decision-making, procedural skills, and confidence in skin cancer management. Focus on real-world cases, surgical techniques and tips, journal article reviews, diagnostic and management insights, and guest interviews with GPs and specialists.

🎓 Certificate Courses in Skin Cancer

Gestational diabetes is one of the most common and challenging complications seen in pregnancy, and new guidelines are changing how GPs should approach its screening and management.

What you will learn

Next steps in your learning journey

🎓  NEW!  Foundation Certificate of Pregnancy: Managing Complications

🎓 Women's Health Certificate Courses

🎓 HealthCert 365 subscription

In this episode of HealthCert's The Aesthetic Shift podcast series, Kelly Beasy speaks to Kelly McChord about her journey from solo practice to multi-clinic ownership and the lessons learned in building a sustainable aesthetics business.

Kelly McChord is a Nurse Practitioner with 15 years' experience in the aesthetics industry, who is based in Perth and who has a special interest in cosmetic medicine and women's health. She shares her inspiring story of building a thriving aesthetics career, from starting out as a solo practitioner to soon opening her second clinic. Her path into aesthetics was shaped by her background in emergency and resuscitation care, where she realised that health isn’t just about survival, but also about confidence and quality of life. That insight eventually led her into aesthetics, where she found new ways to help people feel their best.

Over the past 15 years, Kelly has grown from performing her first wrinkle relaxer treatments while raising four children, to establishing a busy clinic that now needs more space to meet patient demand. Along the way, she has navigated the challenges of working alone, building a client base, hiring staff, and expanding services with carefully chosen devices.

In this conversation, Kelly Beasy and Kelly McChord share their practical lessons for clinicians considering a similar path:

Build your foundation first. Focus on training, competence, and developing a loyal patient portfolio before scaling.

Know when to expand. Hiring a second injector, investing in devices, or moving to a bigger clinic should be driven by patient demand and return on investment.

Value your time and team. Setting boundaries, delegating effectively, and supporting staff are essential to sustainable growth.

Invest in skills, not just equipment. Patient trust and confidence in your expertise are far more powerful than any device alone.

Watch this episode here.

Next steps in your learning journey

🎓 Certificate Courses in Aesthetic Medicine