Almeziny Abdullah, Almutairi Rahaf, Altamimi Amal, Alshehri Khloud, Almehaideb Latifah, Shadid Asem, Al Mashali Mohammed
College of Medicine, Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, 13317, Saudi Arabia, 966 538699522.
Department of Dermatology, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
JMIR Dermatol. 2025 Jan 23;8:e63861. doi: 10.2196/63861.
Dermoscopy is a noninvasive technology used to examine the skin's invisible microstructures in dermatological practice and is gaining prominence as a crucial tool. Dermoscopy is an evidence-based practice used to enhance the early detection of skin malignancies and to help distinguish between various skin conditions, including pigmented and nonpigmented skin malignancies. Currently, the vast majority of global guidelines for skin cancer recommend dermoscopy as a critical component. Dermoscopy use is increasing worldwide, but to date, no study has documented the attitudes toward and use of dermoscopy among future dermatologists in Saudi Arabia.
We aimed to determine the proportion of dermatology residents in Riyadh who use dermoscopy in their clinical practice; identify factors influencing the use of dermoscopy, such as availability of equipment, training, and the perceived importance of dermoscopy in clinical practice; explore barriers to dermoscopy use, including the lack of access to necessary resources (eg, dermoscopes) and insufficient training; and provide insights into the adoption and integration of dermoscopy into dermatology training and clinical practice in Saudi Arabia.
In January 2024, a validated and published questionnaire was modified to meet research requirements and was sent to all registered dermatology residents in the The Saudi Board of Dermatology and Venereology Program.
In total, 63 dermatology residents in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, completed the web-based questionnaire (response rate=87.5%). The sample was predominantly female (n=34, 54.0%), with the majority (n=53, 84.1%) aged between 26 and 30 years. A notable proportion of participants (n=22, 34.9%) were in their final year of residency. Over half of the participants (n=34, 54.0%) owned a dermoscope, and a substantial number of them (n=23, 36.5%) reported conducting 21-30 clinic consultations per month on average. More than half of the participants (n=36, 57.1%) had received dermoscopy training, and 16 (36.4%) had used dermoscopy for 2 years. Additionally, most participants (n=20, 45.5%) had used nonpolarized immersion-contact dermoscopy, while 19 (43.2%) had used polarized light dermoscopy. Furthermore, the majority (n=22, 50.0%) used dermoscopy in fewer than 10% of cases involving patients with inflammatory skin lesions. Statistical analysis revealed significant associations between the participants' ages (P=.003), residency levels (P=.001), and practice centers and the use of dermoscopy (P=.004).
Dermoscopy has been widely adopted by dermatology residents in their daily clinical practice due to its benefits in early detection and diagnosis of skin diseases. However, the overall extent of dermoscopy use within the dermatology community remains unclear, highlighting the need for further education. In Saudi Arabia, the key factors influencing dermoscopy use include residents' ages, residency levels, and practice centers. Younger dermatologists have expressed strong interest in improving their dermoscopy knowledge and skills. Expanding access to dermoscopy equipment and providing training during residency could further promote its use across the country.
皮肤镜检查是一种用于皮肤科临床实践中检查皮肤不可见微观结构的非侵入性技术，正日益成为一种关键工具。皮肤镜检查是一种基于证据的实践方法，用于加强皮肤恶性肿瘤的早期检测，并有助于区分各种皮肤状况，包括色素性和非色素性皮肤恶性肿瘤。目前，全球绝大多数皮肤癌指南都推荐将皮肤镜检查作为关键组成部分。皮肤镜检查在全球的应用正在增加，但迄今为止，尚无研究记录沙特阿拉伯未来皮肤科医生对皮肤镜检查的态度和使用情况。
我们旨在确定利雅得皮肤科住院医师在临床实践中使用皮肤镜检查的比例；确定影响皮肤镜检查使用的因素，如设备可用性、培训以及皮肤镜检查在临床实践中的感知重要性；探索皮肤镜检查使用的障碍，包括无法获得必要资源（如皮肤镜）和培训不足；并深入了解在沙特阿拉伯将皮肤镜检查纳入皮肤科培训和临床实践的情况。
2024年1月，对一份经过验证并已发表的问卷进行修改以满足研究要求，并发送给沙特皮肤科和性病学委员会项目中所有注册的皮肤科住院医师。
沙特阿拉伯利雅得共有63名皮肤科住院医师完成了基于网络的问卷（回复率 = 87.5%）。样本以女性为主（n = 34，54.0%），大多数（n = 53，84.1%）年龄在26至30岁之间。相当一部分参与者（n = 22，34.9%）处于住院医师培训的最后一年。超过一半的参与者（n = 34，54.0%）拥有皮肤镜，其中相当数量的人（n = 23，36.5%）报告平均每月进行21至30次门诊会诊。超过一半的参与者（n = 36，57.1%）接受过皮肤镜检查培训，16人（36.4%）使用皮肤镜检查已有2年。此外，大多数参与者（n = 20，45.5%）使用过非偏振浸入接触式皮肤镜检查，而19人（43.2%）使用过偏振光皮肤镜检查。此外，大多数（n = 22，50.0%）在涉及炎症性皮肤病变患者的病例中，使用皮肤镜检查的比例不到10%。统计分析显示，参与者的年龄（P = 0.003）、住院医师培训水平（P = 0.001）和实践中心与皮肤镜检查的使用之间存在显著关联（P = 0.004）。
由于皮肤镜检查在皮肤疾病早期检测和诊断方面的益处，皮肤科住院医师已在日常临床实践中广泛采用。然而，皮肤科领域内皮肤镜检查的总体使用程度仍不明确，这凸显了进一步开展教育的必要性。在沙特阿拉伯，影响皮肤镜检查使用的关键因素包括住院医师的年龄、住院医师培训水平和实践中心。年轻的皮肤科医生对提高其皮肤镜检查知识和技能表现出浓厚兴趣。扩大皮肤镜检查设备的可及性并在住院医师培训期间提供培训，可能会进一步促进其在全国的使用。
