Diagnostic ability for common skin diseases among general practitioners working in community health service centers in Shanghai, China: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective Primary care general practitioners (GPs) play a crucial role in common skin diseases (CSDs) diagnosis and treatment for community residents. This study investigates their clinical diagnostic ability for CSDs and influencing factors among GPs in Shanghai. Methods In 2023, we recruited 5745 GPs in Shanghai, and online survey was conducted among 5745 GPs with written informed consents. Images of ten CSDs was used to evaluate the diagnostic ability among GPs, logistic regression (LR) analysis was applied to explore influencing factors in GPs with a good skin diseases diagnostic ability. Results The 5745 GPs included 1740 male (30.3%), the age ranged from 25 to 60 years with an average of age of 40.8 years. The total score for GSDs diagnostic ability ranged from 2 to 10, with a median of 7.5. In this study, GPs who have achieved ≥ 9 scores were identified as GPs with good diagnostic ability, with a prevalence of 26.7%. LR analysis indicated that GPs with 11 to 15 and over 15 years of work experience had a higher prevalence of good diagnostic ability compared with those with <5 years, the OR was 1.23 (95% CI: 1.02-1.48) and 1.25 (95% CI: 1.05-1.49) respectively. GPs with advanced studies [OR = 1.61, 95% CI:1.33-1.95] and work experience [OR = 1.39, 95% CI:1.20-1.61] in dermatology had a higher prevalence of good diagnostic ability. Conclusion The diagnostic ability for CSDs was good among GPs in Shanghai. GPs with more years of work, advanced studies and work experience in dermatology have better diagnostic abilities CSDs.