Resident physicians should be taught to screen for suspicious lesions, researchers say

MONDAY, Oct. 19 (HealthDay News) — Too few resident physicians have been trained in skin cancer examinations or watched or practiced the procedure, U.S. researchers report.

In a survey of 342 resident physicians in family medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics and internal medicine, researchers collected information on the participants’ training and experience with skin cancer exams as well as their level of skill in performing the exams.

"Clinical training for the skin cancer examination during residency was infrequent," wrote Dr. Emily Wise, of the Boston University School of Medicine, and colleagues. "During residency, 75.8 percent were never trained in the skin cancer examination, 55.3 percent never observed a skin cancer examination and 57.4 percent never practiced the examination. Only 15.9 percent of residents reported being skilled in the skin cancer examination."

The researchers found that performing four skin cancer examinations (about one per year of residency) was associated with improvements in skill levels reported by the respondents.

The findings are published in the October issue of the Archives of Dermatology.

Melanoma is the second-most common cause of cancer in Americans aged 15 to 29. About one-quarter of melanomas are detected by doctors, rather than patients. Skin cancers discovered by doctors are generally thinner and have a better prognosis, according to background information in the study.

"Visits to internists and family practitioners make up an estimated 40 percent of physician visits in the United States, and nearly two-thirds of patients with melanoma report a physician visit in the year before diagnosis. Primary-care physicians are thus ideally suited to screen and triage high-risk patients and those with suspicious lesions," the study authors wrote.

"Residency programs and medical schools may have neither the time nor the infrastructure to teach an expert, comprehensive examination to all physicians in training," they concluded. "However, the basic ability to recognize potentially suspicious lesions and triage persons with such lesions should be a vital and key component of both training programs. If current physicians in training do not learn this skill set in medical school or residency, there is a low likelihood that they will acquire this knowledge in their day-to-day practice, which could have potentially devastating consequences for melanoma recognition going forward."

More information

The U.S. National Cancer Institute has more about skin cancer screening.

– Robert Preidt

HealthDay

Aloha Dermatology

September 17 — 23 2009

Click Here to Visit the Veins on Maui Website

Kahului Maui Dermatologist Mr. Micki Ly reports that she and her clients have embraced this exciting and effective new treatment that includes stat-of-the-art closure technology—and the results are superior. The patented technology uses a very small catheter and radio frequency energy to close down the ugly vein with only a small nick in the skin on the leg under local anesthesia. Clients enjoy quick and effortless relief of their varicose vein symptoms, without the associated drawbacks of vein stripping (an invasive surgical procedure) general anesthesia, post-operative pain, bruising and prolonged recovery. For self-assessment information about this service, visit www.veins-on-maui.com or call Dr Ly’s office at (808) 877-6526 or a consultation.

HEALTH & BEAUTY
Aug 28 — Sept 3

Maui dermatologist Micki Ly, M.D. and staff are located at the Aloha Dermatology and Laser Center in Kahului. The client-friendly floor plan is designed to provide space for comprehensive and specialized skin care services.

“Our vision was to provide our patients with a full-service clinic and at the same time, through good design, create a setting that promotes a positive experience for our patients,” said Dr. Ly. “We’ve paid a lot of attention to patient comfort and privacy.”

With larger facilities, Dr. Ly has added space for more services including expanded patient education materials, additional products, samples, and the implementation of a more efficient schedule management system, which results in less waiting time for appointments.

“Aloha was included in our name because it captures the spirit of care, compassion, hospitality, and respect we strive to convey to our clients.” said Dr. Ly. “We love making people look and feel better.”

Dr. Ly and her staff are excited about the level of care the new location provides room for “Amazing advances in health care allow us to offer our clients a fuller array of services in dermatology and cosmetic procedures,” said Dr. Ly.

The office is located at 89 Ho‘okele Street, Suite 101, in Kahului, right behind The Home Depot and is surrounded by convenient parking spaces. For a personal consultation, information or driving directions, visit www.aloha-dermatology.com. 808-877-6526.

Watch for Dr. Ly at the Maui Senior Fair coming SOON!