Abstract
Skin pathology is among the commonest reasons for South African primary care consultations, yet the dermatology workforce is small and unevenly distributed. Only 264 dermatologists serve a population of over 60 million, at 20.1 per million in the private sector and 1.2 per million in the public sector. Most patients with skin-related concerns usually present to general practitioners or family physicians first, who largely work with naked-eye examination alone. Dermoscopy is an evidence-based tool that significantly improves the accuracy of skin lesion assessment and is becoming routinely used in primary care in countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia.
Contribution: This article argues that dermoscopy should be reconsidered as a possible primary care skill in South Africa, keeping in mind that implementation is dependent on necessary equipment and training.