Smartphone wallpapers for dermoscopy training in medical students and residents

Abstract

Background: Several dermoscopy training programs have found the accuracy of dermoscopy examination depends on adequate training of practitioners. Smartphones are readily available and time-efficient tools for dermoscopy training.

Aim: To evaluate the learning efficacy of utilizing dermoscopy smartphone wallpapers to train medical students, PGY (postgraduate year)-1 trainees, and junior dermatological residents without prior dermoscopy training.

Methods: We designed smartphone wallpapers with dermoscopy pictures and features of several common melanocytic and nonmelanocytic conditions. Pretests and posttests were performed before and after a 10-day-long smartphone wallpaper training program to evaluate their diagnostic accuracy using dermoscopy images.

Results: Significant progressions were noted between the pretest and posttest scores both in the nonmelanocytic (P < 0.001) and the melanocytic (P = 0.003) sections. Medical students and PGY-1 trainees demonstrated more significant improvement in nonmelanocytic lesions, compared to dermatology residents. Residents of dermatology showed more progression in the melanocytic section than nonresidents.

Limitations: There were limited participants. The frequency and time allotted by each participant in perusing the wallpapers were variable. Further study of the application on clinical practice is still needed.

Conclusion: Smartphone wallpapers training improves dermoscopic interpretation significantly in medical students, PGY-1 trainees, and dermatological residents. The background knowledge of dermatology has an effect on the degree of improvement in the training course.