JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Digital three-dimensional (3D) total-body photography of the skin surface is an emerging imaging modality that can facilitate the identification of new and changing naevi.

Objective:

We aimed to describe the experiences of study participants drawn from the general population who were provided 3D total-body photography and dermoscopy for the monitoring of naevi.

Methods:

A population-based, prospective study of adults aged 20-69 years from South-East Queensland, Australia was conducted. Participants underwent 3D total-body photography and dermoscopy every six months over a 3-year period. Participants were asked to provide closed and open-ended feedback on their 3D total-body photography and dermoscopy experience (such as comfort, trust, intended future use and willingness to pay) at the halfway study timepoint (18-months) and final study timepoint (36-months). We assessed changes in participants’ reported experience of 3D total-body photography and patient characteristics associated with patient experience at the end of the study (36-months) were analysed.

Results:

149 participants completed the surveys at both the 18- and 36-month timepoints (median age 55.0 (range 23-70); 63.1% (94/149) were male). At the 18-month timepoint, most participants (103/149, 69.1%) stated they completely trusted 3D total-body imaging for the diagnosis and monitoring of their naevi and this did not change at the 36-month (104/149, 69.8%) timepoint. The majority of participants reported they were very comfortable or comfortable with the technology at both the 18- and 36-month timepoints respectively (138/149, 92.6%; 140/149, 94.0%), albeit the number of participants reporting they were ‘very comfortable’ reduced significantly between the 18- and 36-month timepoints, from 71.1% to 61.1% (P=.012). Almost all participants (94%) would consider using this technology if it were to become commercially available, and this did not change during the two study timepoints. Half of participants (74/149) cited barriers to participating in 3D total-body photography, including trust in the ability of this technology to detect and monitor suspicious lesions, digital privacy, cost, and travel requirements.

Conclusions:

The majority of participants expressed positive attitudes towards 3D total-body photography for the monitoring of their moles. Half the participants identified potential barriers to uptake.