Effect of a Dermoscopy Training Course on the Accuracy of Primary Care Physicians in Diagnosing Pigmented Lesions

Secker, Lisanne J; Buis, P.A.J.; Bergman, Wilma; Kukutsch, Nicole A.

doi:10.2340/00015555-2526

Cited by 21 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…The extent of training required for a meaningful improvement in performance is unclear, with some studies showing improved diagnostic accuracy after only short training interventions. [18][19][20][21] It is clear that some training is necessary; even amongst dermatologists, dermoscopy without training performs no better than naked eye examination. 11,22,23 Previous studies have surveyed the frequency of dermatoscope use and attitudes towards dermoscopy of primary care practitioners (PCPs) in Australia 16 and France, 24 finding that 34% and 8%, respectively, use dermoscopy; however, there are no such data from GPs in the UK.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dermoscopy use in UK primary care: a survey of GPs with a special interest in dermatology

Jones

Jurascheck

Utukuri

et al. 2019

Acad Dermatol Venereol

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Background Melanoma accounts for 90% of skin cancer mortality and typically presents in primary care, where it can be challenging to distinguish from benign lesions. Dermoscopy is a tool for skin visualization that is routinely used for melanoma diagnosis in secondary care. However, the role of dermoscopy in primary care remains unclear. Objectives To determine views on, and use of, dermoscopy by dermatology‐interested general practitioners (GPs). Methods An online questionnaire was emailed to the UK Primary Care Dermatology Society members in February 2018, and responses collected over the following 4 weeks. Results A total of 205 responses were analysed. Most respondents were GPs (94%), aged over 50 (53%), had a postgraduate dermatological qualification (67%) and used dermoscopy regularly when reviewing pigmented skin lesions (97%). Dermoscopy use was commoner amongst GPs who had worked longer in primary care and had experience of secondary care dermatology. Most had undertaken training in dermoscopy (91%), although one‐fifth (20%) had not updated their training in over 5 years. Most of those who had received only 1 day of face‐to‐face training reported feeling confident using a dermatoscope. Few respondents (11%) reported access to teledermatology or teledermoscopy for urgent or routine referrals. Conclusions UK GPs with a special interest in dermatology are routinely using dermoscopy in the primary care setting. More research is needed to establish optimal approaches to training and updating GP dermoscopy skills. When dermoscopy has been shown to be safe, effective, acceptable and cost‐effective in this setting, more GPs may also be able to gain and maintain the skills to implement dermoscopy into routine primary care. Technological advances, including incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithms to guide GPs, could also contribute to widening use of dermoscopy among GPs.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dermoscopy use in UK primary care: a survey of GPs with a special interest in dermatology

Jones

Jurascheck

Utukuri

et al. 2019

Acad Dermatol Venereol

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“…5 Short training sessions utilizing dermoscopy, such as the one-time workshop in this study, have been shown to be effective in leading to an increase in diagnostic accuracy of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers among physicians following these short day-or-less training courses. 15,16 Our study aimed to build on this principle and show that a single grand rounds dermoscopy workshop can also lead to an increase in the use of dermoscopy among residents at three months and improve triage capabilities of residents.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The use of Dermoscopy Following a one-day Workshop Among Family Medicine Residents

Maldonado¹,

O’Hanlon²

2019

Marshall Journal of Medicine

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“…PCPs were the sole participants reported on in seven of the papers; a small number of physician assistants or doctors in other medical specialties participated in the studies reported in three articles, but these papers were included in the review as PCPs formed the majority of participants [12,17,22]. One observational questionnaire study was identified [7], and one of the uncontrolled interventional studies also included an observational, questionnaire component [18]. The final two articles were narrative pieces [23,24].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Seven programs used a combination of at least two formats, and three programs employed three formats to deliver training, as shown in Table 2. Duration of training varied from 1 h to 6 months and was not specified in one study [18]. Live training sessions lasted between 2 and 10 h, although two studies specified that only 50-60% of this time was dedicated to dermoscopy training [4,5].…”

Section: Delivery Formatmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Training Primary Care Physicians in Dermoscopy for Skin Cancer Detection: a Scoping Review

et al. 2019

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In many countries, patients with concerning skin lesions will first consult a primary care physician (PCP). Dermoscopy has an evidence base supporting its use in primary care for skin cancer detection, but need for training has been cited as a key barrier to its use. How PCPs train to use dermoscopy is unclear. A scoping literature review was carried out to examine what is known from the published literature about PCP training in dermoscopy. The methodological steps taken in this review followed those described by Arksey and O'Malley, as revised by Levac et al. Four electronic databases were searched for evidence published up to June 2018. Sixteen articles were identified for analysis, all published since 2000. Ten training programs were identified all of which addressed dermoscopy of pigmented skin lesions, among other topics. Ten articles reported on a range of outcomes measured after training and showed generally positive results in terms of improved diagnostic performance, although no metaanalysis was conducted. However, it was unclear whether trained PCPs continued to use dermoscopy after training. Observational questionnaire data revealed that many PCPs use dermoscopy in practice without any formal training. The literature generally supports the use of dermoscopy by PCPs, but it is unclear whether current training leads to long-term change in PCPs' use of dermoscopy in clinical practice. Understanding this problem, as well as exploring PCPs' training needs, is essential to develop training programs that will facilitate the uptake and use of dermoscopy in primary care.

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Effect of a Dermoscopy Training Course on the Accuracy of Primary Care Physicians in Diagnosing Pigmented Lesions

Cited by 21 publications

References 10 publications

Dermoscopy use in UK primary care: a survey of GPs with a special interest in dermatology

Dermoscopy use in UK primary care: a survey of GPs with a special interest in dermatology

The use of Dermoscopy Following a one-day Workshop Among Family Medicine Residents

Training Primary Care Physicians in Dermoscopy for Skin Cancer Detection: a Scoping Review

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