Table 3 Reasons why 156 general practitioners did not perform a biopsy in one or more scenarios of patients presenting with suspicious melanocytic lesions
From: Choosing to biopsy or refer suspicious melanocytic lesions in general practice
Reason for not performing a biopsy | Positive response | % |
|---|---|---|
You do not feel comfortable doing the biopsy | 101 | 60% |
You have no interest in performing any biopsies | 21 | 13% |
Your surgery is not equipped for this | 8 | 5% |
Other comments: | 38 | 23% |
Qualitative analysis of other specified comments*: | ||
Biopsy requires an expert | ||
“If it is melanoma it needs specialist care” | ||
“It may not need a biopsy if a dermatologist looks at it” | ||
“The other GP in our practice does biopsies” | ||
Difficulty with biopsy technique | ||
“Clinical melanoma needs a wide local excision” | ||
“I prefer not to excise cosmetically sensitive areas” | ||
Personal issues | ||
“I have arthritic fingers” | ||
“I do not excise from the face” | ||
Systems issues | ||
“Doing biopsy is time consuming - not well remunerated” | ||
“There are medico legal risks with doing facial lesions” | ||
“There is more co-coordinated care for referrals” | ||