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Primary Care Physicians' and Dermatologists' Skills at Secondary Prevention of Skin Cancer

Barbara Gerbert, PhD; Toby Maurer, MD; Timothy Berger, MD; Steven Pantilat, MD; Stephen J. McPhee, MD; Mimi Wolff, MSW; Amy Bronstone, PhD; Nona Caspers, MFA

Arch Dermatol. 1996;132(9):1030-1038.

Abstract
Background and Design
This study determines (1) the readiness of primary care physicians (PCPs) to triage optimally lesions suspicious for skin cancer, (2) the difference in their abilities from those of dermatologists, and (3) whether accurate diagnosis after viewing slide images transfers to accurate diagnosis after viewing lesions on patients. Seventy-one primary care residents and 15 dermatologists and resident dermatologists diagnosed and selected a treatment/diagnostic plan for skin lesions suspicious for cancer. The lesions were shown on slides, computer images, and patients. Participants' performance was compared with biopsy results of all lesions.

Results
Dermatologists' scores were almost double those of primary care residents, and primary care residents' performance was positively associated with previous experience in dermatology. Primary care residents failed 50% of the time to diagnose correctly nonmelanoma skin cancer and malignant melanomas, and 33% of the time they failed to recommend biopsies for cancerous lesions. Primary care residents failed to diagnose malignant melanomas 40% of the time; dermatologists failed to do so 26% of the time. Both groups performed better using slide images compared with patients.

Conclusions
Primary care residents may not be ready to assume a gatekeeper role for lesions suspicious for skin cancer. Because of the seriousness of missed diagnoses, especially of malignant melanomas, we need to improve the triage skills of PCPs. Future studies should evaluate whether primary care training allows sufficient time for PCPs to learn the necessary skills. Until we can show that PCPs are prepared to triage optimally, managed care plans should reduce the threshold for referrals to dermatologists of potential skin cancers.

Arch Dermatol. 1996;132:1030-1038

Author Affiliations
From the Divisions of Behavioral Sciences, School of Dentistry (Drs Gerbert and Bronstone and Mss Wolff and Caspers) and General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine (Drs Pantilat and McPhee), the Department of Dermatology (Drs Maurer and Berger), and the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program (Dr Pantilat), University of California—San Francisco.

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