How surgeon age affects post-treatment surveillance strategies for melanoma patients

  • Authors:
    • Julie A. Margenthaler
    • Katherine S. Virgo
    • David Y. Johnson
    • Everett M. Sugarbaker
    • Barry S. Handler
    • Frank E. Johnson
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: July 1, 2001     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.19.1.175
  • Pages: 175-180
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Abstract

The intensity of post-treatment melanoma patient follow-up varies widely among physicians. We investigated whether physician age accounts for the observed variation in surveillance intensity among plastic surgeons. A custom-designed questionnaire was mailed to USA and non-USA surgeons, all of whom were members of the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. Subjects were asked how they use 14 specific follow-up modalities during years 1-5 and 10 following primary treatment for patients with cutaneous melanoma. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to compare practice patterns by TNM stage, year post-surgery, and age. Of the 3,032 questionnaires mailed, 1,142 (38%) were returned. Of those returned, 395 (35%) were evaluable. Non-evaluability was usually due to lack of melanoma patient follow-up in surgeons' practices. Follow-up strategies for most of the 14 modalities were highly correlated across TNM stages and years post-surgery, as expected. The pattern of testing varied significantly by surgeon age for 3 modalities (complete blood count, liver function tests, and chest X-ray), but the variation was quite small. We concluded that the post-treatment surveillance practice patterns of ASPRS members caring for patients with cutaneous melanoma vary only marginally with physician age. Continuing medical education could account for this observation.

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July 2001
Volume 19 Issue 1

Print ISSN: 1019-6439
Online ISSN:1791-2423

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Spandidos Publications style
Margenthaler JA, Virgo KS, Johnson DY, Sugarbaker EM, Handler BS and Johnson FE: How surgeon age affects post-treatment surveillance strategies for melanoma patients. Int J Oncol 19: 175-180, 2001
APA
Margenthaler, J.A., Virgo, K.S., Johnson, D.Y., Sugarbaker, E.M., Handler, B.S., & Johnson, F.E. (2001). How surgeon age affects post-treatment surveillance strategies for melanoma patients. International Journal of Oncology, 19, 175-180. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.19.1.175
MLA
Margenthaler, J. A., Virgo, K. S., Johnson, D. Y., Sugarbaker, E. M., Handler, B. S., Johnson, F. E."How surgeon age affects post-treatment surveillance strategies for melanoma patients". International Journal of Oncology 19.1 (2001): 175-180.
Chicago
Margenthaler, J. A., Virgo, K. S., Johnson, D. Y., Sugarbaker, E. M., Handler, B. S., Johnson, F. E."How surgeon age affects post-treatment surveillance strategies for melanoma patients". International Journal of Oncology 19, no. 1 (2001): 175-180. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.19.1.175