GENERAL-PRACTITIONERS WORKLOAD AFTER SKIN-CANCER MELANOMA SCREENING CLINICS IN THE NETHERLANDS

We studied the workload of the general practitioner after two skin can cer screening clinics in the Netherlands. Thirty-one physicians partic ipated in the project. The numbers of patients presenting with benign and malignant skin lesions were recorded 2 weeks before and 6 weeks af ter the public campaigns. In the week immediately after the screenings there was a small increase in the number of consultations for suspect ed skin cancer. Thereafter, the weekly number of malignant lesions dec reased to precampaign levels. Subsequently to the campaigns the number s of referrals for benign skin lesions decreased slightly. We conclude that the extra workload for the general practitioner generated by the screening campaigns has been negligible.