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Skin cancer screening by dermatologists: Prevalence and barriers - 01/09/11

Doi : 10.1067/mjd.2002.120531 
Daniel G. Federman, MDa, Jeffrey D. Kravetz, MDa, Robert S. Kirsner, MDb
West Haven and New Haven, Connecticut, and Miami, Florida 
From the Veterans Affairs Connecticut Health Care System, West Haven, and the Department of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven,a and the Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami School of Medicine.b 

Abstract

Background: The incidence of skin cancers is increasing at an alarming rate, and there is currently no consensus by major health policy organizations regarding skin cancer screening. It has previously been shown that primary care physicians do not screen a majority of patients for skin cancer. Objective: This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of skin cancer screening among dermatologists and to detect barriers to screening. As a secondary objective, we set out to determine the prevalence of dermatoscopy use. Methods: With the use of membership data from the 1999-2000 directory of the American Academy of Dermatology, a random sample of 464 American dermatologists was surveyed to assess their skin cancer screening practices and perceived obstacles to this practice. We then determined whether differences in knowledge of skin cancer screening recommendations, emphasis of skin cancer screening in training, or physician age affected the prevalence of screening. Results: A total of 190 dermatologists responded (41%). Fifty-seven respondents (30%) reported performing full-body skin cancer screening on all of their adult patients and 93 more (49%) reported screening only patients perceived to be at increased risk. Eighty respondents (42%) reported lack of time as an impediment to screening. Only 18 (9%) did not screen patients because of potential patient embarrassment, whereas 17 (9%) did not perform screening because of lack of financial reimbursement. Sixty-two dermatologists (33%) reported being aware of official skin cancer screening recommendations, but they were not more likely to screen all patients (P = .64) or partake in screening of all patients or only those at increased risk (P = .84). One hundred nineteen respondents (63%) reported that skin cancer screening was emphasized during their medical training and they were more likely to screen all patients (P = .04) or either all or high-risk patients (P = .02). Younger age groups of dermatologists were significantly more likely to screen all patients for skin cancer (P = .03). Twenty-two percent of respondents reported using dermatoscopy for suspicious lesions. Conclusion: Dermatologists report a high rate of screening for skin cancer despite not having knowledge of skin cancer screening recommendations. Inadequate time to perform full-body skin examinations and lack of emphasis during training were identified as possible barriers to this practice. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2002;46:710-4.)

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 Funding sources: Drs Federman and Kravetz: none; Dr Kirsner was a recipient of the Leaders' Society Clinical Career Development Award in Health Care Policy given by the Dermatology Foundation.
 Conflicts of interest: None.
 Reprint requests: Daniel G. Federman, MD, VA Connecticut Health Care System (11ACSL), 950 Campbell Ave, West Haven, CT 06516.


© 2002  American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Publié par Elsevier Masson SAS. Tous droits réservés.
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Vol 46 - N° 5

P. 710-714 - mai 2002 Retour au numéro
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