Dermoscopy in Selected Latin American Countries: A Preliminary Look into Current Trends and Future Opportunities Among Dermatology Residency Programs

Dermoscopy in Selected Latin American Countries: A Preliminary Look into Current Trends and Future Opportunities Among Dermatology Residency Programs

Authors

  • Mariana Perez Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
  • Natalie Williams Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
  • Alejandra Avila Department of Dermatology, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Medellin, Colombia
  • Renato Bakos Department of Dermatology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
  • Flavia Bittencourt Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
  • Blanca Carlos-Ortega Consultorio privado, Hospital Durango, Roma Norte, Ciudad de México, México
  • Laura Garzona Hospital Clínica Bíblica, San José, Costa Rica
  • Alejandra Larre-Borges Hospital Británico, Montevideo Uruguay. Former Hospital de Clínicas UDELAR, Montevideo, Uruguay
  • Cristian Naverrete-Dechent Melanoma and Skin Cancer Unit, Department of Dermatology, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
  • Victor Pinos Department of Dermatology, Hospital Metropolitano, Quito, Ecuador; Universisdad Central del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
  • Gabriel Salerni Department of Dermatology, Hospital Provincial del Centenario de Rosario, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Argentina
  • Jackie Shum-Tien Clínica Dermatológica Arosemena; Clínica Mediskin, Ciudad de Panamá, Panamá
  • Natalia Jaimes Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida

Keywords:

Dermoscopy, Dermatology Residency, Latin America, Medical Education

Abstract

Introduction: Dermoscopy is a useful technique that aids in early detection of skin cancer by increasing diagnostic accuracy with adequate training. However, dermoscopy is not uniformly taught to residents worldwide. Dermoscopy training in Latin American dermatology residency programs has not been explored.

Objectives: To assess current dermoscopy training among dermatology residency programs in Latin America (e.g. training modalities, preferred/most effective modalities per residents, diseases/pathologies taught).

Methods: Cross-sectional survey distributed via email between March and May 2021. Chief residents from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, and Uruguay were invited to participate.

Results: 81 chief residents completed the questionnaire (81/126, 64.2%). 72% of programs had an established dermoscopy curriculum, with dedicated hours of training varying greatly by program. Institutions commonly utilized sessions with “unknown” dermoscopy images and direct teaching by experts in the clinical setting as supplements to lectures, also described by residents as most effective. The most commonly taught methods included pattern analysis (74.1%), the two-step algorithm (61.7%), and the ABCD rule (59.3%). Almost all respondents reported desiring additional training during residency and believe that dermoscopy training should be a requirement to graduate from residency.

Conclusion: This study highlights the current landscape in dermoscopy training among dermatology residency programs in Latin America, demonstrating room for improvement and standardization in dermoscopic education and training. Our results serve as a baseline reference and provide valuable information to guide future educational initiatives incorporating successful teaching strategies (e.g. spaced education/repetition, flipped classroom model) used in dermatology and other fields.

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Published

2023-04-29

How to Cite

1.
Perez M, Williams N, Avila A, et al. Dermoscopy in Selected Latin American Countries: A Preliminary Look into Current Trends and Future Opportunities Among Dermatology Residency Programs. Dermatol Pract Concept. 2023;13(2):e2023093. doi:10.5826/dpc.1302a93

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