Introduction

Welcome to the The Color Wheel! Whether this is your first time with dermoscopy or you’re a veteran user, we’re happy you’re here! The Color Wheel has been developed as a new method to simplify the steps needed to best utilize dermoscopy while ensuring that important malignancies are not missed.

The dermatoscope is often thought of as solely a dermatologist’s tool. However, its usage is diverse and should be added to many other clinicians’ toolboxes, including primary care physicians and subspecialty physicians, such as plastic surgeons and otolaryngologists. Primary care physicians, in particular, have a unique opportunity to enhance their diagnostic acumen by incorporating dermoscopy into their examination routine. They are often the main source of medical referrals for suspicious dermatologic lesions. However, many of these referrals are unnecessary, and their number could be reduced. Arenziano et al. found that primary care physicians trained in dermoscopy significantly increased their referral sensitivity without decreasing specificity.¹

Only gold members can continue reading. Log In or Register to continue