Who sends what: a comparison of dermatopathology referrals from dermatologists, pathologists and dermatopathologists.

BACKGROUND

Dermatopathologists, dermatologists and pathologists interpret skin pathology specimens.

OBJECTIVE

To examine dermatopathology referral patterns of dermatologists, pathologists and dermatopathologists.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed diagnoses rendered by one dermatopathologist to 916 primary interpretation cases (543 from university dermatologists and 373 from private practice dermatologists) and 517 consultations (450 from dermatologists, 52 from pathologists and 15 from dermatopathologists). Each diagnosis was assigned into one of six categories. Chi-square tests were used to compare referral types pairwise and correspondence analysis was performed.

RESULTS

All profile comparisons tested significantly from each other (p-value < 0.01) except the comparison between dermatopathologists and pathologists. Correspondence analysis suggested that consultation profile of dermatopathologists was most dissimilar from other profiles and tended to associate more with the presence of malignant and benign melanocytic referral types. Referral pattern of pathologists was more similar to that of dermatologists who interpret skin pathology specimens than that of dermatopathologists.

LIMITATIONS

Small sample size, referral bias, difficulty classifying certain lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

Referral pattern of dermatopathologists was most dissimilar from other profiles and tended to associate more with malignant and benign melanocytic referral types. Referral pattern of pathologists was more similar to that of dermatologists who interpret skin pathology specimens than that of dermatopathologists.