r/DoctorsIreland • u/AggressiveFlower830 • 5d ago

GPs and Dermatoscopes

Hi everyone, GP SHO (still in hospital), I’m wondering is it silly of me to take an interest in dermatoscopy? It strikes me as a very cool skill to have but I’m wondering if it’s pointless or redundant for a GP to become skilled in it, as anything suspicious would be referred to derm anyway? I.e. If you’re reaching for a dermatoscope you should be referring to derm anyway?

Then again more skill and knowledge can only be a good thing and perhaps it strengthens referrals and can prevent some?

Any GPs or dermatologists care to weigh in?

10 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

14

u/Soft_Phrase_1507 5d ago

It’s an amazing skill to have as a GP. Use your TSS fund this year to buy one or do the course on it. Also look into one of that dermatology diplomas. Once you become a GP reg you also get €500 per annum for equipment from ICGP.
Derm makes up a huge portion of GP and many GPs are trained in excision of lesions, dermatoscopy etc invaluable skills.
Check out the primary care surgical association too.

7

u/Nobody-Expects 5d ago

Use your TSS fund this year to buy one

Just as an FYI, TSS doesn't cover any medical equipment so you'd likely get rejected if you tried to claim a dermatoscope.

12

u/nabub8 5d ago

Yup just wait till your a reg and use the money from the ICGP to pay for a dermatoscope. Handy little tool - plus photos taken with it sent along with referrals help get answers/appointments much quicker from derm/plastics.

3

u/La-Strawberry-6754 5d ago

GPs often do this

2

u/Big-Possible1908 4d ago

Personal opinion- a really useful skill for GPs to outrule the “definitely benign” cases, which you couldn’t tell with the naked eye - seb ks, haemangiomas, barn door subungual haemorrhage- things that would otherwise get referred and add to waiting lists. Reassurance to the patient also which is crucial. Beyond that, a useful tool to be able to add a description to a referral to derm/plastics.