Use of and intentions to use dermoscopy among physicians in the United States

Abstract

Background: Dermatologists routinely use dermoscopy to improve diagnostic accuracy of skin cancers. Much less is known about its use among other physicians who routinely examine the skin, such as family physicians, internists and plastic surgeons. 

Objectives: To document the use of dermoscopy in a sample of US physicians and to examine physician and practice characteristics associated with ever having used a dermascope and having some intentions to incorporate dermoscopy into clinical practice during the next 12 months. 

Methods: From September 2015 to February 2016, we recruited 1,466 practicing physicians in person and online to complete an anonymous survey that assessed: demographic factors; physicians and practice characteristics; confidence differentiating skin lesions; knowledge and use of dermoscopy; and intentions and barriers to use dermoscopy. We conducted bivariate analysis to examine the relationship between key factors and the outcomes and entered the significant predictors into two separate logistic regressions.

Results: Fifteen percent of participants had ever used a dermascope and 6% were currently using it. Factors significantly associated with ever having used a dermascope (Model 1) and having intentions to use (Model 2) at the multivariate level were: recent graduation from medical school (strongest predictor in both models), identifying as a family physician, seeing a higher number of patients with skin cancer and having a higher level of confidence differentiating skin lesions. Both models were highly significant.

Conclusion: Use of dermoscopy was low. Promotional efforts to increase dermoscopy use in the US are needed.