Joint clinical and pathological review meetings improve patient care: a prospective evaluation in dermatology

Background: Joint clinical and pathological review meeting exists in most academic dermatology departments.

Objective: The primary objective of the study was to assess the impact of the joint clinical and pathological review meeting in dermatology on patient care.

Methods: Prospective descriptive study over 6 months (May to October 2008) on all clinical cases of dermatology reviewed at the joint clinical and pathological review meeting in our University Hospital.

Results: A total of 139 cases were reviewed during the 6-month period. In 97 cases (69.8%), the joint clinical and pathological review meeting had a positive impact on final diagnosis and/or on patient management. For 27 cases, a consensus diagnosis different from the initial proposal was established. In 21 cases, the joint clinical and pathological review meeting led to additional investigations or therapeutic proposals. The impact of the joint clinical and pathological review meeting was highest for inflammatory skin diseases.

Conclusions: The joint clinical and pathological review meeting is a useful procedure to improve diagnostic accuracy in difficult cases.