Effect of Histopathological Explanations for Dermoscopic Criteria on Learning Curves in Skin Cancer Training: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Niels Kvorning Ternov; Martin  Tolsgaard; Lars Konge; Anders Nymark Christensen; Sigrid Kristensen; Lisbet Hölmich; Jonathan Stretch; Richard Scolyer; Tine Vestergaard; Pascale Guitera; Annette Chakera

doi:10.5826/dpc.1302a105

Effect of Histopathological Explanations for Dermoscopic Criteria on Learning Curves in Skin Cancer Training: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Authors

Niels Kvorning Ternov Department of Plastic Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev and Gentofte, Copenhagen, Denmark
Martin Tolsgaard Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
Lars Konge Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
Anders Nymark Christensen Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark
Sigrid Kristensen Department of Plastic Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev and Gentofte, Copenhagen, Denmark
Lisbet Hölmich Department of Plastic Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev and Gentofte, Copenhagen, Denmark
Jonathan Stretch Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Richard Scolyer Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Tine Vestergaard Department of Dermatology and Allergy Center, Odense University Hospital, Denmark
Pascale Guitera Melanoma Institute Australia, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Annette Chakera Department of Plastic Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev and Gentofte, Copenhagen, Denmark

Keywords:

education, melanoma, pigmented lesions, dermatopathology, carcinoma

Abstract

Introduction: Case-based training improves novices pattern recognition and diagnostic accuracy in skin cancer diagnostics. However, it is unclear how pattern recognition is best taught in conjunction with the knowledge needed to justify a diagnosis.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine whether an explanation of the underlying histopathological reason for dermoscopic criteria improves skill acquisition and retention during case-based training in skin cancer diagnostics.

Methods: In this double-blinded randomized controlled trial, medical students underwent eight days of case-based training in skin cancer diagnostics, which included access to written diagnosis modules. The modules dermoscopic subsections differed between the study groups. All participants received a general description of the criteria, but the intervention group additionally received a histopathological explanation.

Results: Most participants (78%) passed a reliable test in skin cancer diagnostics, following a mean training time of 217 minutes. Access to histopathological explanations did not affect participants' learning curves or skill retention.

Conclusions: The histopathological explanation did not affect the students, but the overall educational approach was efficient and scalable.

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