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Dermatology: Practical Updates 2026

Skin conditions are among the most frequent presentations in primary care. This 4-hour webinar brings together top New Zealand dermatology specialists to help you navigate these complexities with confidence.

Gain practical, evidence-based strategies for common and complex skin conditions, Learning from internationally recognised experts. Each presentation is followed by an interactive Q&A session to address your clinical challenges.

By registering, you will receive access to a video recording of the day, along with links to any relevant resources mentioned.

Price: $320, including GST

Event Closed

 

TIME TOPIC SPEAKER
8.30 Welcome
8.35

Vitiligo

This session provides a practical overview of vitiligo, focusing on recognition, assessment, and contemporary management in clinical practice.

(Presentation is followed by audience Q&A)

Paul Jarrett
9.05

Recognising inflammatory dermatoses in different skin tones

This talk explores how inflammatory skin diseases present differently across a range of skin tones, with a focus on improving recognition, assessment and management in skin of colour. Practical guidance is provided to support more accurate assessment, culturally safe care, and consideration of vitamin D deficiency in patients with inflammatory dermatoses and skin of colour.

(Presentation is followed by audience Q&A)

Paul Jarrett
9.25 5 minute break
9.30

Alopecia

Hair loss is a common and distressing problem. This session offers a practical, pattern-based approach to identifying common alopecia types, recognising red flags, initiating management in primary care, and knowing when to refer, with guidance on prognosis and patient counselling.

(Presentation is followed by audience Q&A)

Cristina Mello
10.00 10 minute break
10.10

Acne

Acne is a common but often undertreated condition in New Zealand with significant impacts on quality of life and mental health. This session outlines a practical approach to acne management, including the earlier use of isotretinoin. 

(Presentation is followed by audience Q&A)

Aaron Secrest
10.40

Rosacea and Perioral Dermatitis

It is important to distinguish rosacea from the malar rash of lupus. Rosacea treatments are effective but should be started early as late-stage rosacea (telangiectasias and rhinophyma) are expensive to treat cosmetically.

Perioral (or periorificial) dermatitis can mimic acne but treatment approaches differ, so it is important to distinguish between the two.

(Presentation is followed by audience Q&A)

Aaron Secrest
11.10 5 minute break
11.15

Atopic Dermatitis

Eczema is one of the most common skin issues in adults. This practical talk will focus predominantly on atopic generalised eczema. The session will cover optimising topical therapy and when to initiate systemic therapy for severe eczema. We will cover the basics of methotrexate, upadacitinib and scoring for eczema. We will touch on monitoring for patients on long-term systemic treatment.

(Presentation is followed by audience Q&A)

Karen Koch
11.45 30 minute lunch
12.15

Paediatrics: Impetigo, cradle cap, scabies

Lisa will focus on the diagnosis and management of impetigo and intertrigo (cradle cap) in children while also distinguishing these conditions from atopic eczema.  

She will also discuss scabies management in infants and in treatment-resistant disease.

(Presentation is followed by audience Q&A)

Lisa Connelly
12:55 5 min break
1.00

Red Rash Made Easy

Discover a toolkit that simplifies pattern recognition for common rashes, eczema, dermatitis, fungal.

(Presentation is followed by audience Q&A)

Bruce Arroll
1.20 Wrap up

 

Recognition of Learning Activities

The Dermatology update 2026 webinar has been endorsed by The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP) and approved for up to 4 hours CME credits for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) purposes. RNZCGP Fellows are to receive double credits for attending this session.

www.rnzcgp.org.nz

 

Presenter

Paul Jarrett

Consultant Dermatologist

Paul is a consultant dermatologist with interest in all areas of dermatology, including skin cancer and inflammatory dermatoses. He practices in Auckland, New Zealand, primarily at Middlemore Hospital and the Manukau SuperClinic, as well as holding an Honorary Associate Professor position at the University of Auckland.

Presenter

Cristina Mello

Consultant Dermatologist

Cristina is a consultant dermatologist with more than 15 years of experience. She obtained her specialist medical and surgical dermatology training at Campinas State University (UNICAMP) in Brazil. During the past decade she has been working with general dermatology with a special focus on hair and nail disorders. Until March 2022, Cristina was an associate Professor at Campinas State University, responsible for the Hair and Nail Clinic and supervising undergraduate medical students and dermatology trainees.

Cristina is currently completing her PhD, studying psoriasis. She is a Member of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) and part of its International Affairs Committee. She is also a Member of the American Council for Nail Disorders and the European Nail Society.

She moved to New Zealand with her family in April 2022.

Presenter

Aaron Secrest

Consultant Dermatologist

Aaron Secrest, MD, PhD, is a consultant dermatologist and clinical director of dermatology at Christchurch Hospital. His particular research focus is understanding what matters most to his patients and how his patients' skin issues affect their quality of life. He is also very interested in improving access to dermatologic expertise and care.

Aaron tries to identify the most cost-effective care for his patients. In 2021, he created a website (medicalsecrets.com) to help people learn practical tips for managing common skin issues with over-the-counter treatments. Aaron regularly speaks to GPs, pharmacists, trainees, and the general public to share these practical tips and insights.

Presenter

Karen Koch

Consultant Dermatologist

Dr Karen Koch is a specialist dermatologist who works as a consultant for Te Whatu Ora Waikato (Health New Zealand) at Waikato Hospital in Hamilton, New Zealand, where she has been practising since 2019. Before relocating to New Zealand, Karen ran a private practice in Johannesburg. She is an executive member of the NZ Dermatological Society and has a special interest in connective tissue disorders and the skin.

Presenter

Lisa Connelly

Specialist Dermatologist

Lisa is a Specialist Dermatologist with over 15 years of experience. She specializes in treating all conditions related to the skin, hair and nails with additional interest and expertise in Pediatric Dermatology conditions.

Currently, she is one of a handful of Paediatric Dermatologists in New Zealand.

Presenter

Bruce Arroll

Professor

Bruce is a General Practice and Primary Health Care Professor at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, and was a practising GP at Greenstone Family Clinic in South Auckland since 2006. In 2024, he left Greenstone Clinic to join the Calder Clinic at the Auckland City Mission. He is a general practitioner, as well as providing special consultations using Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (FACT).