Improving accuracy in diagnosing skin lesions using teledermatology

Isolating and mitigating sequentially dependent perceptual errors in clinical visual search

['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY · NIH-11130341

This study looks at how dermatologists' past experiences with skin images might affect their diagnoses when they’re looking at pictures of skin lesions online, and it aims to help them make more accurate decisions so that patients can get better care for skin issues.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY (nih funded)
Locations1 site (BERKELEY, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11130341 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research investigates how past visual experiences can influence dermatologists' decisions when diagnosing skin lesions through remote teledermatology. By examining hundreds of images in succession, dermatologists may unintentionally let previous images affect their judgment, potentially leading to misdiagnoses. The study aims to identify and mitigate these biases to enhance diagnostic accuracy in skin cancer screening. Patients may benefit from improved detection and classification of skin lesions, leading to better treatment outcomes.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals undergoing skin examinations or those with suspicious skin lesions requiring evaluation.

Not a fit: Patients with non-dermatological conditions or those not seeking skin evaluations may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate diagnoses of skin lesions, improving patient outcomes in skin cancer detection.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that addressing perceptual biases can significantly improve diagnostic accuracy in various medical fields, suggesting a promising avenue for this approach.

Where this research is happening

BERKELEY, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Cancer Patient, Cancers

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.