A female doctor talks with her patient in front of her as they talk about her concerns)

Skin Tone in Clinical Research and Assessment

Continuous Professional Development Support Scheme

This one-hour CPD programme emphasises the importance of skin tone diversity in healthcare.

It covers skin biology, classification systems, and disparities in medical diagnosis, treatment and research.

The course highlights the lack of diverse representation in medical education materials, simulation models, and clinical studies, which perpetuates inequities in care.

It also explores the challenges in diagnosing conditions across different skin tones and the integration of emerging technologies and artificial intelligence to reduce bias.

Course leads: Dr Natalie McEvoy (Anaesthetics and Critical Care, RCSI), Dr Shane Browne (Anatomy and Regenerative Medicine, RCSI)

Learning outcomes

  • Recognise the significance of skin tone in clinical research, assessment and diagnosis.
  • Analyse the factors leading to underrepresentation of diverse skin tones in medical education, clinical practice, and anatomical resources.
  • Use classification tools like the Fitzpatrick scale to enhance clinical decision-making.
  • Promote more diverse representation in clinical and basic research, using appropriate assessment techniques and technologies to ensure equitable healthcare outcomes for all skin tones.