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The impact of dermoscopy on melanoma detection in the practice of dermatologists in Europe : results of a pan-European survey

Forsea, A M ; Tschandl, P ; Zalaudek, I ; Del Marmol, V ; Soyer, H P ; Argenziano, G ; Geller, A C and Nielsen, Kari LU orcid (2017) In Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology 31(7). p.1148-1156
Abstract

BACKGROUND: Dermoscopy is a widely used technique that can increase the sensitivity and specificity of melanoma detection. Information is lacking on the impact of dermoscopy use on the detection of melanoma in the real-life practice of European dermatologists.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors that influence the benefit of using dermoscopy for increasing melanoma detection and lowering the number of unnecessary biopsies in the practice of European dermatologists.

METHODS: We conducted a survey of dermatologists registered in 32 European countries regarding the following: the demographic and practice characteristics, dermoscopy training and use, opinions on dermoscopy and the self-estimated impact of dermoscopy use on the number... (More)

BACKGROUND: Dermoscopy is a widely used technique that can increase the sensitivity and specificity of melanoma detection. Information is lacking on the impact of dermoscopy use on the detection of melanoma in the real-life practice of European dermatologists.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors that influence the benefit of using dermoscopy for increasing melanoma detection and lowering the number of unnecessary biopsies in the practice of European dermatologists.

METHODS: We conducted a survey of dermatologists registered in 32 European countries regarding the following: the demographic and practice characteristics, dermoscopy training and use, opinions on dermoscopy and the self-estimated impact of dermoscopy use on the number of melanomas detected and the number of unnecessary biopsies performed in practice.

RESULTS: Valid answers were collected for 7480 respondents, of which 6602 reported using dermoscopy. Eighty-six per cent of dermoscopy users reported that dermoscopy increased the numbers of melanomas they detected, and 70% reported that dermoscopy decreased the number of unnecessary biopsies of benign lesions they performed. The dermatologists reporting these benefits were more likely to have received dermoscopy training during residency, to use dermoscopy frequently and intensively, and to use digital dermoscopy systems and pattern analysis compared to dermatologists who did not perceive any benefit of dermoscopy for the melanoma recognition in their practice.

CONCLUSIONS: Improving dermoscopy training, especially during residency and increasing access to digital dermoscopy equipment are important paths to enhance the benefit of dermoscopy for melanoma detection in the practice of European dermatologists.

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type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology
volume
31
issue
7
pages
1148 - 1156
publisher
Elsevier
external identifiers
  • pmid:28109068
  • scopus:85013414474
ISSN
1468-3083
DOI
10.1111/jdv.14129
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
8a154aad-e020-4cb6-a81c-e49c03473d9f
date added to LUP
2017-05-18 10:33:48
date last changed
2024-05-26 15:49:13
@article{8a154aad-e020-4cb6-a81c-e49c03473d9f,
  abstract     = {{<p>BACKGROUND: Dermoscopy is a widely used technique that can increase the sensitivity and specificity of melanoma detection. Information is lacking on the impact of dermoscopy use on the detection of melanoma in the real-life practice of European dermatologists.</p><p>OBJECTIVE: To identify factors that influence the benefit of using dermoscopy for increasing melanoma detection and lowering the number of unnecessary biopsies in the practice of European dermatologists.</p><p>METHODS: We conducted a survey of dermatologists registered in 32 European countries regarding the following: the demographic and practice characteristics, dermoscopy training and use, opinions on dermoscopy and the self-estimated impact of dermoscopy use on the number of melanomas detected and the number of unnecessary biopsies performed in practice.</p><p>RESULTS: Valid answers were collected for 7480 respondents, of which 6602 reported using dermoscopy. Eighty-six per cent of dermoscopy users reported that dermoscopy increased the numbers of melanomas they detected, and 70% reported that dermoscopy decreased the number of unnecessary biopsies of benign lesions they performed. The dermatologists reporting these benefits were more likely to have received dermoscopy training during residency, to use dermoscopy frequently and intensively, and to use digital dermoscopy systems and pattern analysis compared to dermatologists who did not perceive any benefit of dermoscopy for the melanoma recognition in their practice.</p><p>CONCLUSIONS: Improving dermoscopy training, especially during residency and increasing access to digital dermoscopy equipment are important paths to enhance the benefit of dermoscopy for melanoma detection in the practice of European dermatologists.</p>}},
  author       = {{Forsea, A M and Tschandl, P and Zalaudek, I and Del Marmol, V and Soyer, H P and Argenziano, G and Geller, A C and Nielsen, Kari}},
  issn         = {{1468-3083}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{7}},
  pages        = {{1148--1156}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology}},
  title        = {{The impact of dermoscopy on melanoma detection in the practice of dermatologists in Europe : results of a pan-European survey}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jdv.14129}},
  doi          = {{10.1111/jdv.14129}},
  volume       = {{31}},
  year         = {{2017}},
}