Center for Research & Training in Skin Diseases & Leprosy (CRTSDL) is an affiliation of Tehran University of Medical Sciences involved in research and educational activities on various aspects of skin diseases and leprosy.

History

The need for harmonization in research on skin diseases and avoidance of repetition of such activities in Universities of Medical Sciences in Iran encouraged the authorities of Ministry for Health, Treatment & Medical Education and Presidential Office to establish a center devoted to research on skin diseases in 1992. The Board of Trustees of the center, which was named as Center for Research & Training in Skin Diseases & Leprosy (CRTSDL), included the President (Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani), Minister of Foreign Affairs (Dr. Ali Akbar Velayati), Minister of Health, Treatment & Medical Education (Dr. Reza Malekzadeh), Head of Emam Khomeini Charity Committee (Mr. Nayyeri) and Dr. Yahya Dowlati. Dr. Dowlati was assigned as the director of CRTSDL with the suggestion of the Board of Trustees and approval of Minister of Health, Treatment & Medical Education. The main responsibility of CRTSDL was determined to harmonize all training and research activities regarding skin diseases and leprosy. In 1993 CRTSDL was separated from Ministry for Health, Treatment & Medical Education and joined to Tehran University of Medical Sciences.

EDUCATION & TRAINING PROGRAMS

1. Residents of Dermatology in all training programs in the country have to attend a one-month course of training on leprosy in CRTSDL. In this course they will be introduced to various aspects of leprosy by attending the lectures and Leprosy Clinic.
2. Courses on Leprosy are presented continuously to all medical students of Tehran University of Medical Sciences.
3. Courses on Dermatopathology are presented to residents of Dermatology.
4. Workshops on Good Clinical Practice (GCP) for clinical investigators under supervision of WHO/TDR

CONGRESSES & SYMPOSIUMS

1. Weekly case report sessions are held in CRTSDL and attended by about 30 local dermatologists introducing interesting and problematic cases.
2. Biweekly sessions of research committee attended by researchers from CRTSL and also outside of CRTSDL.
3. Monthly sessions of Iranian Society of Dermatology are organized every 4 months by CRTSDL. In these sessions attended by 100 dermatologists, lectures and interesting cases are presented.
4. Yearly congresses on "What is new in dermatology, dermatopathology and dermatologic surgery" with the cooperation of Iranian Society of Dermatology and Departments of Dermatology of the Universities of Medical Sciences.

Future Research Programs

1. Evaluation of quality of life in patients with chronic skin diseases.
2. Development of research activities especially on newer drugs and formulations for skin diseases and evaluation of them according to Good Clinical Practice.