Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Inequalities in the patterns of dermoscopy use and training across Europe : conclusions of the Eurodermoscopy pan-European survey

Forsea, Ana-Maria ; Tschandl, Philipp ; Zalaudek, Iris ; Del Marmol, Veronique ; Soyer, H Peter ; Argenziano, Giuseppe ; Geller, Alan C ; Arenbergerova, Monika ; Azenha, Angelo and Blum, Andreas , et al. (2020) In European journal of dermatology : EJD 30(5). p.524-531
Abstract

BACKGROUND: Dermoscopy is a widely used technique, recommended in clinical practice guidelines worldwide for the early diagnosis of skin cancers. Intra-European disparities are reported for early detection and prognosis of skin cancers, however, no information exists about regional variation in patterns of dermoscopy use across Europe.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the regional differences in patterns of dermoscopy use and training among European dermatologists.

MATERIALS & METHODS: An online survey of European-registered dermatologists regarding dermoscopy training, practice and attitudes was established. Answers from Eastern (EE) versus Western European (WE) countries were compared and their correlation with their respective... (More)

BACKGROUND: Dermoscopy is a widely used technique, recommended in clinical practice guidelines worldwide for the early diagnosis of skin cancers. Intra-European disparities are reported for early detection and prognosis of skin cancers, however, no information exists about regional variation in patterns of dermoscopy use across Europe.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the regional differences in patterns of dermoscopy use and training among European dermatologists.

MATERIALS & METHODS: An online survey of European-registered dermatologists regarding dermoscopy training, practice and attitudes was established. Answers from Eastern (EE) versus Western European (WE) countries were compared and their correlation with their respective countries' gross domestic product/capita (GDPc) and total and government health expenditure/capita (THEc and GHEc) was analysed.

RESULTS: We received 4,049 responses from 14 WE countries and 3,431 from 18 EE countries. A higher proportion of WE respondents reported dermoscopy use (98% vs. 77%, p<0.001) and training during residency (43% vs. 32%) or anytime (96.5% vs. 87.6%) (p<0.001) compared to EE respondents. The main obstacles in dermoscopy use were poor access to dermoscopy equipment in EE and a lack of confidence in one's skills in WE. GDPc, THEc and GHEc correlated with rate of dermoscopy use and dermoscopy training during residency (Spearman rho: 0.5-0.7, p<0.05), and inversely with availability of dermoscopy equipment.

CONCLUSION: The rates and patterns of dermoscopy use vary significantly between Western and Eastern Europe, on a background of economic inequality. Regionally adapted interventions to increase access to dermoscopy equipment and training might enhance the use of this technique towards improving the early detection of skin cancers.

(Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; and , et al. (More)
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; and (Less)
author collaboration
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
European journal of dermatology : EJD
volume
30
issue
5
pages
8 pages
publisher
John Libbey Eurotext
external identifiers
  • pmid:33052101
  • scopus:85096203011
ISSN
1167-1122
DOI
10.1684/ejd.2020.3872
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
445b997a-ae56-4c1d-8538-b70725b4e7d2
date added to LUP
2020-12-21 08:42:33
date last changed
2024-06-13 04:09:20
@article{445b997a-ae56-4c1d-8538-b70725b4e7d2,
  abstract     = {{<p>BACKGROUND: Dermoscopy is a widely used technique, recommended in clinical practice guidelines worldwide for the early diagnosis of skin cancers. Intra-European disparities are reported for early detection and prognosis of skin cancers, however, no information exists about regional variation in patterns of dermoscopy use across Europe.</p><p>OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the regional differences in patterns of dermoscopy use and training among European dermatologists.</p><p>MATERIALS &amp; METHODS: An online survey of European-registered dermatologists regarding dermoscopy training, practice and attitudes was established. Answers from Eastern (EE) versus Western European (WE) countries were compared and their correlation with their respective countries' gross domestic product/capita (GDPc) and total and government health expenditure/capita (THEc and GHEc) was analysed.</p><p>RESULTS: We received 4,049 responses from 14 WE countries and 3,431 from 18 EE countries. A higher proportion of WE respondents reported dermoscopy use (98% vs. 77%, p&lt;0.001) and training during residency (43% vs. 32%) or anytime (96.5% vs. 87.6%) (p&lt;0.001) compared to EE respondents. The main obstacles in dermoscopy use were poor access to dermoscopy equipment in EE and a lack of confidence in one's skills in WE. GDPc, THEc and GHEc correlated with rate of dermoscopy use and dermoscopy training during residency (Spearman rho: 0.5-0.7, p&lt;0.05), and inversely with availability of dermoscopy equipment.</p><p>CONCLUSION: The rates and patterns of dermoscopy use vary significantly between Western and Eastern Europe, on a background of economic inequality. Regionally adapted interventions to increase access to dermoscopy equipment and training might enhance the use of this technique towards improving the early detection of skin cancers.</p>}},
  author       = {{Forsea, Ana-Maria and Tschandl, Philipp and Zalaudek, Iris and Del Marmol, Veronique and Soyer, H Peter and Argenziano, Giuseppe and Geller, Alan C and Arenbergerova, Monika and Azenha, Angelo and Blum, Andreas and Bowling, Jonathan C. and Braun, Ralph P. and Bylaite-Bucinskiene, Matilda and Abrijan, Leo C. and Dobrev, Hristo and Helppikangas, Hana and Karls, Raimonds and Krumkachou, Uladzimir and Kukutsch, Nicole and Mccormack, Iona and Mekokishvili, Lali and Nathansohn, Nir and Nielsen, Kari and Olah, Judit and Özdemir, Fezal and Puig, Susana and Rubegni, Pietro and Planinsek Rucigaj, Tanja and Schopf, Thomas R. and Sergeev, Vasily and Stratigos, Alexander and Thomas, Luc and Tiodorovic, Danica and Vahlberg, Ave and Zafirovik, Zorica}},
  issn         = {{1167-1122}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{10}},
  number       = {{5}},
  pages        = {{524--531}},
  publisher    = {{John Libbey Eurotext}},
  series       = {{European journal of dermatology : EJD}},
  title        = {{Inequalities in the patterns of dermoscopy use and training across Europe : conclusions of the Eurodermoscopy pan-European survey}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1684/ejd.2020.3872}},
  doi          = {{10.1684/ejd.2020.3872}},
  volume       = {{30}},
  year         = {{2020}},
}