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48% of dermatology chief residents reported specialized dermoscopy training

While most dermatology chief residents surveyed used dermoscopy, less than half reported training with a pigmented lesion specialist, according to recent study results.

Researchers sent an online survey to 139 chief residents in U.S. dermatology training programs and received 82 responses (66% women). Seventy-seven respondents reported using dermoscopy to help diagnose pigmented lesions. Although 91% of the chief residents indicated they received dermoscopy training in residency, just 48% reported training with a pigmented lesion specialist.

Of the 52% who trained without a specialist, 47% received classroom (P=.0008) and 40% received bedside instruction (P=.0065) compared with 77% of chief residents who received specialty training in the classroom and at bedside.

Seventy-seven percent of specialist-trained chief residents reported satisfaction with their training, compared with a 30% satisfaction rate for those trained without a specialist (P<.0001). In addition, 77% of those who received specialist training said dermoscopy can help differentiate melanoma from benign lesions, compared with 47% of those untrained by a specialist (P=.0065).

The results might not be generalized to all dermatology trainees because of response bias and a survey limited to chief residents, the researchers reported.

“Nearly all chief residents use dermoscopy as a tool to aid them in the management of pigmented lesions,” the researchers concluded. “Despite the high rates of reported use and training received, a lack of dedicated dermoscopy instruction remains a potential barrier to resident education in some training programs.

“Increasing the amount of bedside and classroom teaching on this topic is one possible approach to enhance residents’ diagnostic confidence in the management of atypical nevi and satisfaction with their training.”