The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice / American Board of Family Practice
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J Am Board Fam Pract · Nov 2004
Comparative StudyOvercoming obstacles to skin cancer examinations and prevention counseling for high-risk patients: results of a national survey of primary care physicians.
Primary care physicians are in a unique position to perform skin cancer examinations and provide prevention counseling, given that approximately 40% of office visits to physicians in the United States are to a family practitioner or internist. Compared with family or self-detection, physician detection is associated with an increased probability of detecting thinner melanomas. However, little research has attempted to identify the major obstacles to performing a skin cancer examination and recommending prevention practices. ⋯ Concerted public and professional education efforts must be made to provide resources that help physicians efficiently weave skin cancer examinations and prevention counseling into routine practice while also motivating high-risk patients to request full-body examinations and counseling.