Interpretation of cutaneous biopsy specimens: Choice of pathologist by primary care practitioners

Background. Primary care providers (PCPs) have limited training in recogniz ing common skin disorders, and additional emphasis may be placed on laborat ory evaluation, including skin biopsies. Methods. Primary care providers in Miami, Fla, were sun eyed regarding skin biopsy and excision practices and histologic interpretation. They then par ticipated in an examination, using 20 high-quality color photographs of com mon dermatologic disorders. Results. Of the 80 PCPs who participated, 42% currently do skin biopsies an d consult general pathologists for interpretation. another 20% of PCPs inte nd to do biopsies within the next 5 years. Only 33% prefer to have a dermat opathologist interpret histopathology. We found no correlation between PCPs ' scores on diagnostic testing and whether they do skin biopsies. Conclusion. Nearly all PCPs doing skin biopsies in our study sample use gen eral pathologists to interpret histopathology. The limited training in clin ical dermatology of both PCPs and general pathologists may result in compro mised clinical-pathologic cor relation.