Darier Sign: A Historical Note

The document presents a study involving 590 patients with primary melanoma, which found that dermatologists were more effective than general practitioners (GPs) in diagnosing and managing melanoma. The study showed that the median delay before deciding to remove a melanoma was significantly shorter for patients first examined by dermatologists (0 days) compared to those seen by GPs (22 days). Furthermore, patients initially seen by dermatologists had a lower median tumor thickness (0.9 mm vs. 2 mm for GPs), indicating more accurate diagnosis and better management. These findings contradict a previous review by Chen et al., which stated there was insufficient data to show differences in diagnostic and biopsy or referral accuracy between dermatologists and GPs. The study suggests that direct access to dermatologists may lead to a better prognosis for melanoma patients than the "gatekeeper approach" through GPs. However, the authors acknowledge that differences in the number of dermatologists and access to medical resources between France and the United States may affect the comparison of GP/dermatologist effectiveness. The document also highlights the need for public awareness and enhanced GP training to ensure optimal medical care.