Factors associated with the clinical detection of cutaneous melanoma by physicians in social service year, El Salvador, januaryjune 2023

Abstract

El Salvador does not have screening/testing process at the primary care level for skin melanoma. Physicians must rely on their knowledge to detect possible cases. This research aimed to determine whether their knowledge would be influenced by identifiable factors during medical appointments with patients. The hypothesis proposed was: There is a statistically significant association between the knowledge of physicians completing the social service year and external factors in the detection of skin melanoma in El Salvador. Methodology. The research was quantitative, observational, cross-sectional, and correlational. The population consisted of 930 physicians completing the social service year, with a sample of 273 who provided medical care to patients in health care units. The data collection technique used was a 15-item questionnaire: 3 open-ended questions (participant identification), 12 closed-ended items with multiple-choice options (true/false, A-B-CD-E); Google Forms was the digital platform used for conducting the questionnaire. Results. 8 out of 10 physicians completing the social service year stated that they were familiar with the ABCDE rule, indicating that most of the sample had excellent knowledge according to the Likert scale. The number of physicians who detected suspicious cases of skin melanoma, regardless of their level of knowledge, was 3 out of 10 physicians completing the social service year, which indicated a low detection rate of suspicious lesions. Conclusions. The external factors statistically related to knowledge of the ABCDE rule were: detection of suspicious cases and the optimal time dedicated to dermatological medical appointments. This means that having a good knowledge of the acronym and adequate medical appointment time can lead to more accurate detection of suspicious melanoma cases.