Dermoscopy use in the next generation: a survey of Australian dermatology trainees

The use of dermoscopy is rapidly expanding. The dermatoscope is now used in everyday practice. We sought to investigate the use of dermoscopy by Australian dermatology trainees.

An invitation to complete a web-based survey was sent via e-mail. The survey was composed of a combination of questions from a standardised survey of the International Dermoscopy Society, a previously published dermoscopy survey of Australian consultant dermatologists and questions posed by us. Two-sided Fisher's exact tests, χ(2) tests and exact χ(2) tests for trend were used to assess differences between Australian consultants (n = 99) and trainee dermatologists (n = 44).

The response rate was 55% (44/80 trainees). There were 32% (n = 14) male and 68% (n = 30) female respondents. The mean age was 33-years (SD = 5.41). All respondents used dermoscopy with most (55%, n = 24) having used a dermatoscope for 3-5 years. When asked whether a dermatoscope was an essential tool for a trainee dermatologist, 96% (n = 42) responded yes. There was a statistically significant difference in answers of consultants and trainees to questions on identifying melanomas early in the curable stage, the use of dermoscopy in non-pigmented tumours, helping to improve record-keeping, documentation for medical liability and anticipation for future use of dermoscopy (P < 0.05).

This survey of trainee dermatologists compared the dermoscopy practices recorded in a previous publication involving consultant dermatologists, in addition to questions asked by us. We outline what the practices of dermoscopy use could be in the next generation of dermatologists in Australia.