TY - JOUR

T1 - Effect of Histopathological Explanations for Dermoscopic Criteria on Learning Curves in Skin Cancer Training

T2 - a Randomized Controlled Trial

AU - Ternov, Niels Kvorning

AU - Tolsgaard, Martin

AU - Konge, Lars

AU - Christensen, Anders Nymark

AU - Kristensen, Sigrid Isabella Pilgaard

AU - Hölmich, Lisbet Rosenkrantz

AU - Stretch, Jonathan

AU - Scolyer, Richard Anthony

AU - Vestergaard, Tine

AU - Guitera, Pascale

AU - Chakera, Annette Hougaard

N1 - Publisher Copyright: ©2023 Kvorning Ternov et al.

PY - 2023

Y1 - 2023

N2 - Introduction: Case-based training improves novices pattern recognition and diagnostic accuracy in skin cancer diagnostics. However, it is unclear how pattern recognition is best taught in conjunction with the knowledge needed to justify a diagnosis. Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine whether an explanation of the underlying histopathological reason for dermoscopic criteria improves skill acquisition and retention during case-based training in skin cancer diagnostics. Methods: In this double-blinded randomized controlled trial, medical students underwent eight days of case-based training in skin cancer diagnostics, which included access to written diagnosis modules. The modules dermoscopic subsections differed between the study groups. All participants received a general description of the criteria, but the intervention group additionally received a histopathological explanation. Results: Most participants (78%) passed a reliable test in skin cancer diagnostics, following a mean training time of 217 minutes. Access to histopathological explanations did not affect participants’ learning curves or skill retention. Conclusions: The histopathological explanation did not affect the students, but the overall educational approach was efficient and scalable.

AB - Introduction: Case-based training improves novices pattern recognition and diagnostic accuracy in skin cancer diagnostics. However, it is unclear how pattern recognition is best taught in conjunction with the knowledge needed to justify a diagnosis. Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine whether an explanation of the underlying histopathological reason for dermoscopic criteria improves skill acquisition and retention during case-based training in skin cancer diagnostics. Methods: In this double-blinded randomized controlled trial, medical students underwent eight days of case-based training in skin cancer diagnostics, which included access to written diagnosis modules. The modules dermoscopic subsections differed between the study groups. All participants received a general description of the criteria, but the intervention group additionally received a histopathological explanation. Results: Most participants (78%) passed a reliable test in skin cancer diagnostics, following a mean training time of 217 minutes. Access to histopathological explanations did not affect participants’ learning curves or skill retention. Conclusions: The histopathological explanation did not affect the students, but the overall educational approach was efficient and scalable.

KW - carcinoma

KW - dermatopathology

KW - education

KW - melanoma

KW - pigmented lesions

U2 - 10.5826/dpc.1302a105

DO - 10.5826/dpc.1302a105

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 37196312

AN - SCOPUS:85164398307

VL - 13

JO - Dermatology Practical and Conceptual

JF - Dermatology Practical and Conceptual

SN - 2160-9381

IS - 2

M1 - e2023105

ER -