JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Dermoscopy is a non-invasive technology used to examine the skin's invisible microstructures in dermatological practice. It is an established technique for analyzing skin lesions that have been in use since the 17th century when Kohlhaus used a microscope to study nail matrix vessels. [1–3]. However, dermoscopy was not widely used until the 20th century, when Goldman created a portable microscope that could magnify up to ten times more than the naked eye [1–6]. Historically, dermoscopy has been used to diagnose pigmented lesions such as naevi, melanomas, and pigmented basal cell carcinomas [7]. Since the 1990s it has been used to diagnose other dermatological disorders, including infections such as scabies, inflammatory lesions, and hair and nail-fold alterations, and it is also used to track lesions’ progress or reactions to topical treatments such as imiquimod or 5-fluorouracil [8–11]. The evidence-based practice associated with dermoscopy use improves the diagnostic accuracy for skin cancer, reduces unnecessary biopsies of benign lesions, increases survival rates, and improves the early identification of skin malignancies [12–14]. A 2002 meta-analysis of 27 studies revealed that dermoscopy increases experienced physicians’ diagnostic accuracy for melanoma compared to unaided inspection [1]. Moreover, it helps distinguish between various kinds of pigmented and non-pigmented skin malignancies in vivo, and it is significant in differentiating between inflammatory and neoplastic lesions. Currently, the vast majority of worldwide guidelines for skin cancer recommend dermoscopy as a critical component of diagnosing and following up with patients facing an increased risk of this disease [15–20]. Dermoscopy is also increasingly accepted as a standard practice around the globe. Multiple studies have revealed that United States dermatologists use dermoscopy. Indeed, 48% of 3,238 American dermatologists surveyed in 2010 said they used dermoscopy [21]. Chamberlain’s study of dermoscopy revealed a 98% utilization rate use in Australia [22–23], while 95% of dermatologists in France use the practice [24]. However, no study has documented the attitudes toward and use of dermoscopy among future dermatologists in Saudi Arabia. In this study, dermoscopy prevalence among dermatology residents in Riyadh was assessed alongside information sources and elements that influence its use, such as residency levels and the frequency of dermoscopy diagnoses.

Objective:

to know the attitudes toward and use of dermoscopy among future dermatologists in Saudi Arabia.

Methods:

In January 2024, A validated and published questionnaire was edited to the research needs was sent to all registered dermatology residents in the Dermatology Saudi Board in Riyadh

Results:

A total of 63 dermatologist residents in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia completed the online questionnaire equivalent to an 87.5% Response rate The study’s sample was predominantly female (54.0%), and the majority (84.1%) was aged between 26 and 30 years. A considerable proportion of the participants (34.9%) were in the last year of residency. More than half of the participants (54.0%) owned a dermoscopy, and a substantial number (36.5%) offered 21–30 clinics per month on average. More than half the participants (57.1%) had received dermoscopy training. A considerable proportion (36.4%) had used dermoscopy for two years. Additionally, most of the participants (45.5%) had used non-polarized immersion-contact dermoscopy, while (43.2%) had used polarized light dermoscopy. The study’s findings revealed that the majority of the participants (50.0%) had used dermoscopy in < 10% of cases involving the examination of patients with inflammatory skin lesions. The results established a statistically significant association between the participants’ ages, residency levels, and practice centers with the use of dermoscopy, p-values < .05 (0.003,* 0.001,* and 0.004,* respectively).

Conclusions:

This study has revealed a considerably above-average level of dermatoscopy among use dermatology residents in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Dermatoscopy use is increasing among dermatologists, given the practice’s evidence-based advantages and benefits in the early detection and diagnosis of skin diseases. The participants’ ages, residency levels, and practice centers were found to be the main factors that affected dermoscopy use in Saudi Arabia. Finally, this study noted a willingness to improve one’s dermoscopy knowledge and skills, particularly among young dermatologists in Saudi Arabia.