Dermoscopy Education: Association With Skin Lesion Evaluation Confidence Among Physician Associate/Assistant Students

Abstract

Introduction: Dermoscopy is a proven technique that improves diagnostic acumen in skin lesion evaluation. However, data are scarce on dermoscopy knowledge among physician associate or assistant (PA) students. The aim of this study was to ascertain US PA student's confidence in evaluating skin lesions, current dermoscopy knowledge, and current dermoscopy curriculum.

Methods: An anonymous, optional survey was included in the 2024 Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) (American AAPA) student survey.

Results: A total of 613 (35.7%) PA students responded to the optional survey. Although most (78%) respondents were aware of the terms "dermatoscope" or "dermoscopy," nearly two-thirds (65%) had not yet received dermoscopy training in their PA education and 78% indicated desire to use dermoscopy in their future practice. Respondents were slightly (27%) or somewhat confident (44%) in their ability to differentiate benign and malignant skin lesions, and those with an anticipated dermatology specialty were more confident than their peers seeking other specialties. Respondents who did not recognize the term "dermoscopy" (odds ratios [ORs] = 0.2, 95% CI 0.1, 0.6) and those who did not have prior dermoscopy training (OR = 0.6, 95% CI 0.3, 1.0) were also less likely to be confident.

Discussion: Physician assistant students are interested in dermoscopy training, but training is lacking in PA programs. Physician assistant programs should incorporate dermoscopy into their curriculums to ensure trained PAs have the skill to confidently evaluate skin lesions across a range of medical specialties.