17504 Identifying a need for further dermoscopy training in patients with darker skin phototypes in dermatology residency

Abstract

Use of dermoscopy in dermatology has resulted in improved diagnostic performance and identification of skin lesions in patients with lighter skin phototypes. However, dermoscopy is used less frequently in patients with darker skin phototypes due to the lack of literature on the diagnostic value of dermosocpy in this patient population. A 13-item survey was administered to dermatology residents through the APD list-serve. 40 dermatology residents from 17 different programs enrolled in the study. Only 8% of residents reported having training in dermoscopy in patients with skin of color (SoC). Dermatology residents reported lower levels of confidence (on a scale of 1 to 5) in using dermoscopy in patients with Fitzpatrick skin types IV-VI compared with patients with Fitzpatrick skin types I-III (2.46 vs 2.98; P < .001). In addition, residents reported lower levels of confidence in diagnosing pigmented skin lesions in darker skin phototypes (2.48 vs 3.05; P < .001). Residents reported using dermoscopy less frequently in dark skin patients (average of 2.95 vs 4.46 days per week). Moreover, there appears to be a trend toward higher levels of confidence in residents who have had training in SoC dermoscopy (3.33 vs 2.41; P = .06). 98% of residents reported wanting more training in dermoscopy in patients with SoC. Data collection is ongoing. Dermatology residents demonstrate a sense of unfamiliarity in using dermoscopy to evaluate skin lesions in patients with SoC. We hope to incorporate more training on dermoscopy across skin phototypes in hopes of increasing residents’ confidence and diagnostic performance in patients with darker skin phototypes.