Dermatopathologist Perceptions of Overdiagnosis, Physical Activity Among Long-Term Melanoma Survivors, and Lifestyle Modifications in Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Abstract

Overdiagnosis, defined as a diagnosis of a disease that will never lead to clinical symptoms, harm, or death, has become a public health issue. In addition to cost-inefficient care, overdiagnosis in dermatology leads to unnecessary patient anxiety and stress, unrequired biopsies, expensive treatments, or laboratory tests. Over the years, the incidence of melanoma has steadily increased, whereas melanoma mortality has remained stable, suggesting a problem with overdiagnosis in dermatology. In this brief report, investigators sought to better understand practicing U.S. dermatopathologists' perceptions of melanoma overdiagnosis as a public health issue and whether their awareness of overdiagnosis is associated with pathologist characteristics or their interpretive behavior.The survey-based study, formally known as the Reducing Errors in Melanocytic Interpretations study, enrolled 151 board-certified and/or fellowship-trained dermatopathologists currently practicing in the United States. Survey response rate was 71% (160 enrolled of 226 eligible pathologists). Although 143 of 160 enrolled (89%) completed all study components, survey data from 28 were lost owing to a technical error