Welcome to GP Healthcare Alliance’s Acne, from Diagnosis to Management in Primary Care course.
This course is designed for clinical staff members who will be working within General Practice in Primary Care, seeing patients and working within the UK. If you have never studied about skin care before then you might wish to take our ‘Skin Care, A Beginner’s Guide’ course, prior to starting this one.
This course could take up to 2 hours to complete for a novice (a guide of timings are indicated within the brackets at each lesson), based on your prior knowledge and experience it may take you less/more time, this course is for Primary Care clinicians in the United Kingdom. The aim of this training is for the learner to be able to understand and successfully diagnose and clinically manage patient’s who have acne and know when a referral would need to be made within General Practice. Some reference is made to recording diagnosis outcomes of Acne on SystmOne, but it is not a requirement to have access to SystmOne in order to take the course.
The course will provide information regarding skin structure, assisting with gaining confidence in recognising what skin conditions a patient may have and will explore diagnoses and management. You will always adhere to your workplace protocols; gain an understanding of what you will need to do and why, maintaining professional practices throughout. All guidelines provided in the lessons within this course are correct and current at the time of writing. You will need to ensure that you follow any updated guidelines and work protocols within your practice and area, being considerate of this throughout the course.
It would be beneficial to have a note pad at the ready, but please do not worry if you have not, there are downloadable files for your reference! Some of the tables and examples provided have not got audio support as they will be included in the PDF at the end of each lesson, which can be increased in size within this format if needed for eye comfort.
Acne, from Diagnosis to Management in Primary Care
Welcome to GP Healthcare Alliance’s Acne, from Diagnosis to Management in Primary Care course.
This course is designed for clinical staff members who will be working within General Practice in Primary Care, seeing patients and working within the UK. If you have never studied about skin care before then you might wish to take our ‘Skin Care, A Beginner’s Guide’ course, prior to starting this one.
This course could take up to 2 hours to complete for a novice (a guide of timings are indicated within the brackets at each lesson), based on your prior knowledge and experience it may take you less/more time, this course is for Primary Care clinicians in the United Kingdom. The aim of this training is for the learner to be able to understand and successfully diagnose and clinically manage patient’s who have acne and know when a referral would need to be made within General Practice. Some reference is made to recording diagnosis outcomes of Acne on SystmOne, but it is not a requirement to have access to SystmOne in order to take the course.
The course will provide information regarding skin structure, assisting with gaining confidence in recognising what skin conditions a patient may have and will explore diagnoses and management. You will always adhere to your workplace protocols; gain an understanding of what you will need to do and why, maintaining professional practices throughout. All guidelines provided in the lessons within this course are correct and current at the time of writing. You will need to ensure that you follow any updated guidelines and work protocols within your practice and area, being considerate of this throughout the course.
It would be beneficial to have a note pad at the ready, but please do not worry if you have not, there are downloadable files for your reference! Some of the tables and examples provided have not got audio support as they will be included in the PDF at the end of each lesson, which can be increased in size within this format if needed for eye comfort.
Learning Objectives:
- Explore the varying ranges of acne conditions and what they are known as and look like.
- Gain knowledge of how acne is caused and how to make an assessment and diagnosis of acne.
- Understand how best to manage different types of acne within primary care general practice.
- Learn about the treatment and management of acne, with Referral advice.
There is an end of course Assessment.
This is where you will be able to show off all the information that you have learnt, there is quite a lot, so making notes would benefit you for a quick recap! You will need a pass rate of 80% or more to pass and be able to obtain your certificate, which can be downloaded and printed.
Please be aware that all content within this course is copyright protected
©2026 GP Healthcare Alliance.
Please scroll down each screen and click ‘continue’ where indicated, also be aware of the arrows or the relevant numbers on the bottom of the screen to ‘click on’ as needed.
Where possible we have provided audio support to utilise if preferred and/or required but please be aware that there are examples for you to peruse also.
When you are ready to begin, click the “Start Course” button.
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- Average time to complete: 2 hours
- 100% online
- Downloadable resources included
- Free CPD-accredited certificate to evidence professional development
Acne is a common presentation in primary care, but assessing its severity, choosing appropriate treatment and recognising when specialist input is needed can involve a number of clinical considerations. Its impact can also extend beyond the skin, affecting confidence, wellbeing and quality of life.
This CPD-accredited online acne management training course is designed for UK primary care clinicians involved in assessing, treating or reviewing patients with acne. It develops knowledge of acne presentation and diagnosis, severity assessment, treatment options, follow-up and referral, with practical examples relevant to general practice.
Why this course matters
- Builds confidence in recognising different types and severities of acne
- Supports a structured approach to acne assessment and differential diagnosis
- Strengthens knowledge of treatment and management options available in primary care
- Highlights the psychological and social impact acne can have on patients
- Develops understanding of treatment review, maintenance and relapse
- Helps clinicians recognise complex cases and when specialist referral may be appropriate
What you will learn
- How acne develops, common clinical features and factors that may contribute to it
- How to recognise different acne lesions and assess the severity and extent of the condition
- How patient history and differential diagnosis contribute to an acne assessment
- The principles behind topical, oral and non-pharmacological acne management
- How to review treatment response, consider maintenance and manage recurrence
- When acne may require specialist advice or referral, including more complex presentations
Who this course is for
This online acne training course for primary care is suitable for clinical professionals involved in assessing, managing or reviewing patients with acne, including:
- GPs and GP trainees
- Advanced nurse and clinical practitioners
- Practice nurses and nurse prescribers
- Clinical pharmacists
- Other primary care clinicians working within their professional scope
- Healthcare professionals looking to refresh their knowledge of acne diagnosis and management
If skin anatomy and basic skincare are new areas for you, you may find it useful to complete our Skin Care: A Beginner’s Guide course first to build your foundation knowledge.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Recognise common acne presentations and describe their clinical features
- Assess acne severity and identify relevant information from the patient’s history
- Consider other skin conditions that may present similarly to acne
- Describe the main treatment and management approaches used within primary care
- Explain the importance of treatment review, patient support and ongoing management
- Recognise presentations that may require specialist advice or dermatology referral
Full course description
Recognising and assessing acne
The course explores how acne presents in primary care, from comedonal and inflammatory acne through to more severe nodular and cystic presentations. Learners are introduced to severity assessment, the importance of clinical history and some of the key conditions that can mimic acne, including rosacea, folliculitis and perioral dermatitis.
Understanding causes and patient impact
Acne can be influenced by a range of factors, including hormones, genetics, medications, skincare products and lifestyle. The course considers these potential contributors alongside the physical, psychological and social impact acne can have, including scarring, pigmentation changes, reduced confidence and emotional distress.
Treatment and management
Learners gain an overview of the main approaches to acne management in primary care, including topical treatments, oral medicines, skincare advice and important considerations around contraindications and antibiotic use.
Review and ongoing care
The course considers how acne treatment can be reviewed over time, including response to treatment, recurrence and maintenance. It also highlights the importance of patient advice, adherence and ongoing support.
Complex cases and referral
The course highlights presentations that may need specialist input, including severe or treatment-resistant acne, significant scarring, hormonal acne, pregnancy and acne associated with psychological distress. It also includes examples of how assessment, diagnosis and review may be recorded in SystmOne.
Assessment and certification
At the end of the course, you will complete an assessment to demonstrate your understanding of the topics covered. You will need to achieve a result of 80% or higher to pass.
On successful completion, you will receive a free CPD-accredited certificate, which can be downloaded or printed as evidence of your professional development.
Professional responsibility and scope
This course supports clinical knowledge and understanding but does not, by itself, confirm competence to diagnose, prescribe or independently manage acne.
- Competency should be assessed within your workplace
- Practice should align with local protocols, current guidance, and professional standards
- Prescribing decisions should only be undertaken by appropriately qualified professionals
- You are responsible for applying learning appropriately within your role
Average time to complete
Approximately 2 hours, depending on your prior knowledge and experience. The course is fully self-paced, allowing you to complete it in stages. You can revisit any sections that you’re unsure of.
Course Content
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Can I buy this course for someone else?
Yes. To do this, register using their email address and the name they would like to appear on their certificate.
For example, you might know them as Kate, but they may need their certificate issued in their full birth name, Katherine. It’s best to check these details with them first.
Once the purchase is complete, they will receive the automatic course link by email.
Can I complete the course in my own time, and how long do I have to access it?
All of our online courses are self-paced, so you can complete them at a time that suits you. Your progress is saved at the end of each lesson, allowing you to return and continue later.
You will have six months from the date of enrolment to complete the course. After six months, the course will no longer be available.
Some courses, such as Basic Life Support, must be completed annually by clinical staff. A new course will therefore need to be purchased each year to ensure the training reflects the most up-to-date guidance.
Can I access the training material after completing the course?
Yes. The course materials are available to download during your access period, so you can keep a copy for future reference. Your course access will remain active for six months from the date of enrolment, after which the course will no longer be available.
Which payment methods do you accept?
We accept card payments via Stripe. You can pay using a debit or credit card (such as Visa or Mastercard).
When will I get my certificate?
As soon as you have passed the end-of-course assessment and achieved the required pass rate of 80% or more, your certificate will be available to download from the top of the course page.
Do you offer refunds if I no longer need the course?
Refunds may be available if you have not logged into your account.
Once you have logged in, you will have access to the course materials and downloadable content, and a refund will no longer be possible.
What should I do if I can't log into my account?
When registering, please make sure you enter the correct email address, as login issues are often caused by an incorrect email being used. It can help to copy and paste your email address to avoid mistakes.
If you are unable to log in, click ‘Forgotten password’ and follow the instructions to reset your password via the email link sent to you.
If you continue to experience issues, please contact GPHA-training@gphealthcarealliance.co.uk and we will endeavour to respond within two working weeks.
Save with flexible discounts
Create a bespoke training package:
Choose five or more courses for one learner and receive 30% off the full package
Book training for your team:
Purchasing multiple licences for the same course?
- 5 or more learners, receive 10% off
- 10 or more learners, receive 20% off
To receive a discount code or discuss offers, email gpha-training@gphealthcarealliance.co.uk
