The data presented are being analyzed for further studies, and additional data continues to be collected from this ongoing project. SCARD is a useful tool at practice level, and substantial uptake by Australian primary care skin cancer practitioners has provided a unique opportunity for research into skin cancer and its management. SCCANZ, a professional college of predominantly primary care medical practitioners, with a commitment to the management of skin cancer in Australia and New Zealand, has formed a partnership with the School of Medicine at the University of Queensland to ensure that these data are managed and analyzed appropriately.
Background:Deciding whether a skin lesion requires biopsy to exclude skin cancer is often challenging for primary care clinicians in Australia. There are several published algorithms designed to assist with the diagnosis of skin cancer but apart from the clinical ABCD rule, these algorithms only evaluate the dermatoscopic features of a lesion.Objectives:The BLINCK algorithm explores the effect of combining clinical history and examination with fundamental dermatoscopic assessment in primary care skin cancer practice.Patients/Methods:Clinical and dermatoscopic images of 50 skin lesions were collected and shown to four primary care practitioners. The cases were assessed by each participant and lesions requiring biopsy were determined on separate occasions using the 3-Point Checklist, the Menzies method, clinical assessment alone and the BLINCK algorithm.Results:The BLINCK algorithm had the highest sensitivity and found more melanomas than any of the other methods. However, BLINCK required more biopsies than the other methods. When comparing diagnostic accuracy, there was no difference between BLINCK, Menzies method and clinical assessment but all were better than the 3-Point checklist.Conclusions:These results suggest that the BLINK algorithm may be a useful skin cancer screening tool for Australian primary care practice.
The number of skin cancer clinics functioning within Australia's primary care environment is increasing rapidly, and significant concerns have been raised about the type and quality of work done by some doctors in some clinics.• Mainstream general practice is threatened by perceived fragmentation, and specialist practice in dermatology and plastic surgery is threatened by encroachment into their domains of practice.• We propose an agenda of training, standards, accreditation, audit and research to ensure that skin cancer clinics provide
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