Dermoscopy use by French private practice dermatologists: a nationwide survey

Abstract

This is the first published nationwide survey of dermoscopy practice in Europe. Despite potential classification and/or selection bias, the particularly high penetration rate found in our study suggests that dermoscopy is now widely accepted by French private practice dermatologists for the routine management of both pigmented and nonpigmented lesions.

The impact of dermoscopy on melanoma detection in the practice of dermatologists in Europe: results of a pan‐European survey

“…Similarly, our study allowed for a qualitative, but not quantitative evaluation of the benefit of dermoscopy for melanoma detection and reducing the unnecessary biopsies. Nonetheless, our results are consistent with previous national surveys 23,42 and with the evidence of the effect of dermoscopy on diagnostic accuracy while providing an unprecedented insight into dermatologists' perceptions on the role of dermoscopy. We acknowledge that responses are likely influenced by the background factors related to the national systems of dermatology training and healthcare practice, which are highly heterogeneous in Europe.…”

Overview of the use of dermoscopy in academic and non‐academic hospital centres in France: a nationwide survey

“…In our first study, we found that 94.6% of French dermatologists in their private practice are regularly using dermoscopy. 12 This proportion was similar to the high rate of use of dermoscopy published in an Australian studies in 2007 13 and 2011 14 (95% and 98% respectively). Others main findings were that the use of dermoscopy was more associated with female gender, young age and the number of hours of specific training.…”

“…15 Moreover, our response rate was higher than our first published study on private practice dermatologists. 12 It is tempting to speculate that this high response rate was influenced by the fact that the questionnaire was sent to the chief of departments who are expected to be more likely ready to answer to surveys than physicians in private practice.…”

Melanoma awareness and prevalence of dermoscopic examination among internet users: a cross-sectional survey

“…In addition, inappropriate methods of dermoscopic examination among doctors have been noted (the examination of only one lesion, either chosen by the patient or selected by a doctor). A recently published nationwide survey concerning dermoscopy practice in Europe revealed that dermoscopy helps to detect melanoma earlier and to perform fewer biopsies according to 86.6% and 74.6%, respectively [19]. Laypersons may be able to use dermoscopy to identify more melanomas than naked eye examination alone as well [20].…”