Survey of Dermoscopy Use by Taiwanese Dermatologists

In a 2015 survey of 195 Taiwanese dermatologists, 51.8% reported using dermoscopy in their practice, and 62.1% had attended training courses for the technique. Dermoscopy was primarily used for examining pigmented lesions, hair and scalp disorders, nail lesions, and cutaneous infections, with the main reasons being to increase diagnostic confidence and accuracy, facilitate early cancer detection, and reduce biopsy numbers. The use of dermoscopy was significantly associated with demographic factors such as being female, younger, having fewer clinic hours, and possessing training and educational materials. Despite the benefits, 48.2% did not use dermoscopy, mainly due to lack of training, cost, and skepticism about its impact on clinical decision-making. The study highlighted the growing acceptance of dermoscopy among Taiwanese dermatologists and suggested that more accessible training and lower costs could encourage wider adoption.