Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Factors driving the use of dermoscopy in Europe : a pan-European survey

Forsea, A M ; Tschandl, P ; Del Marmol, V ; Zalaudek, I ; Soyer, H P ; Geller, A C ; Argenziano, G and Nielsen, Kari LU orcid (2016) In British Journal of Dermatology 175(6). p.1329-1337
Abstract

BACKGROUND: When used correctly, dermoscopy is an essential tool for helping clinicians in the diagnosis of skin diseases and the early detection of skin cancers. Despite its proven benefits, there is a lack of data about how European dermatologists use dermoscopy in everyday practice.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the motivations, obstacles and modifiable factors influencing the use of dermoscopy in daily dermatology practice across Europe.

METHODS: All registered dermatologists in 32 European countries were invited to complete an online survey of 20 questions regarding demographic and practice characteristics, dermoscopy training and self-confidence in dermoscopic skills, patterns of dermoscopy use, reasons for not using... (More)

BACKGROUND: When used correctly, dermoscopy is an essential tool for helping clinicians in the diagnosis of skin diseases and the early detection of skin cancers. Despite its proven benefits, there is a lack of data about how European dermatologists use dermoscopy in everyday practice.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the motivations, obstacles and modifiable factors influencing the use of dermoscopy in daily dermatology practice across Europe.

METHODS: All registered dermatologists in 32 European countries were invited to complete an online survey of 20 questions regarding demographic and practice characteristics, dermoscopy training and self-confidence in dermoscopic skills, patterns of dermoscopy use, reasons for not using dermoscopy and attitudes relating to dermoscopy utility.

RESULTS: We collected 7480 valid answers, of which 89% reported use of dermoscopy. The main reasons for not using dermoscopy were lack of equipment (58% of nonusers) and lack of training (42%). Dermoscopy training during residency was reported by 41% of dermoscopy users and by 12% of nonusers (P < 0·001). Dermatologists working in public hospitals were the least likely to use dermoscopy. High use of dermoscopy across the spectrum of skin diseases was reported by 62% of dermoscopy users and was associated with dermoscopy training during residency, the use of polarized light and digital dermoscopy devices, longer dermoscopy practice, younger age and female gender.

CONCLUSIONS: Expanding access to dermoscopy equipment, especially in public healthcare facilities and establishing dermoscopy training during dermatology residency would further enhance the substantially high dermoscopy use across European countries.

(Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; ; ; ; ; and
author collaboration
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
British Journal of Dermatology
volume
175
issue
6
pages
9 pages
publisher
Wiley-Blackwell
external identifiers
  • scopus:85000415166
  • pmid:27469990
ISSN
1365-2133
DOI
10.1111/bjd.14895
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
56e37362-cfbf-4e2b-88da-8b40b364dab9
date added to LUP
2017-05-18 10:31:44
date last changed
2025-01-07 13:41:29
@article{56e37362-cfbf-4e2b-88da-8b40b364dab9,
  abstract     = {{<p>BACKGROUND: When used correctly, dermoscopy is an essential tool for helping clinicians in the diagnosis of skin diseases and the early detection of skin cancers. Despite its proven benefits, there is a lack of data about how European dermatologists use dermoscopy in everyday practice.</p><p>OBJECTIVES: To identify the motivations, obstacles and modifiable factors influencing the use of dermoscopy in daily dermatology practice across Europe.</p><p>METHODS: All registered dermatologists in 32 European countries were invited to complete an online survey of 20 questions regarding demographic and practice characteristics, dermoscopy training and self-confidence in dermoscopic skills, patterns of dermoscopy use, reasons for not using dermoscopy and attitudes relating to dermoscopy utility.</p><p>RESULTS: We collected 7480 valid answers, of which 89% reported use of dermoscopy. The main reasons for not using dermoscopy were lack of equipment (58% of nonusers) and lack of training (42%). Dermoscopy training during residency was reported by 41% of dermoscopy users and by 12% of nonusers (P &lt; 0·001). Dermatologists working in public hospitals were the least likely to use dermoscopy. High use of dermoscopy across the spectrum of skin diseases was reported by 62% of dermoscopy users and was associated with dermoscopy training during residency, the use of polarized light and digital dermoscopy devices, longer dermoscopy practice, younger age and female gender.</p><p>CONCLUSIONS: Expanding access to dermoscopy equipment, especially in public healthcare facilities and establishing dermoscopy training during dermatology residency would further enhance the substantially high dermoscopy use across European countries.</p>}},
  author       = {{Forsea, A M and Tschandl, P and Del Marmol, V and Zalaudek, I and Soyer, H P and Geller, A C and Argenziano, G and Nielsen, Kari}},
  issn         = {{1365-2133}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{6}},
  pages        = {{1329--1337}},
  publisher    = {{Wiley-Blackwell}},
  series       = {{British Journal of Dermatology}},
  title        = {{Factors driving the use of dermoscopy in Europe : a pan-European survey}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bjd.14895}},
  doi          = {{10.1111/bjd.14895}},
  volume       = {{175}},
  year         = {{2016}},
}