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Analysis of institutional authors

Gonzalez MAuthor

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June 17, 2024
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Skin examination behavior: the role of melanoma history, skin type, psychosocial factors, and region of residence in determining clinical and self-conducted skin examination.

Publicated to:Archives Of Dermatology. 148 (10): 1142-1151 - 2012-10-01 148(10), DOI: 10.1001/archdermatol.2012.1817

Authors: Kasparian NA; Bränström R; Chang YM; Affleck P; Aspinwall LG; Tibben A; Azizi E; Baron-Epel O; Battistuzzi L; Bruno W; Chan M; Cuellar F; Debniak T; Pjanova D; Ertmanski S; Figl A; Gonzalez M; Hayward NK; Hocevar M; Kanetsky PA; Leachman S; Bergman W; Heisele O; Palmer J; Peric B; Puig S; Schadendorf D; Gruis NA; Newton-Bishop J; Brandberg Y

Affiliations

- Author
School of Women’s and Children’s Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, Australia. N.Kasparian@unsw.edu.au - Author

Abstract

ObjectiveTo examine the frequency and correlates of skin examination behaviors in an international sample of individuals at varying risk of developing melanoma.DesignA cross-sectional, web-based survey.SettingData were collected from the general population over a 20-month period on behalf of the Melanoma Genetics Consortium (GenoMEL).ParticipantsA total of 8178 adults from Northern (32%), Central (33%), and Southern (14%) Europe, Australia (13%), and the United States (8%).Main outcome measuresSelf-reported frequency of skin self-examination (SSE) and clinical skin examination (CSE).ResultsAfter adjustment for age and sex, frequency of skin examination was higher in both Australia (odds ratio [OR]SSE=1.80 [99% CI, 1.49-2.18]; ORCSE=2.68 [99% CI, 2.23-3.23]) and the United States (ORSSE=2.28 [99% CI, 1.76-2.94]; ORCSE=3.39 [99% CI, 2.60-4.18]) than in the 3 European regions combined. Within Europe, participants from Southern Europe reported higher rates of SSE than those in Northern Europe (ORSSE=1.61 [99% CI, 1.31-1.97]), and frequency of CSE was higher in both Central (ORCSE=1.47 [99% CI, 1.22-1.78]) and Southern Europe (ORCSE=3.46 [99% CI, 2.78, 4.31]) than in Northern Europe. Skin examination behavior also varied according to melanoma history: participants with no history of melanoma reported the lowest levels of skin examination, while participants with a previous melanoma diagnosis reported the highest levels. After adjustment for region, and taking into account the role of age, sex, skin type, and mole count, engagement in SSE and CSE was associated with a range of psychosocial factors, including perceived risk of developing melanoma; perceived benefits of, and barriers to, skin examination; perceived confidence in one's ability to engage in screening; and social norms. In addition, among those with no history of melanoma, higher cancer-related worry was associated with greater frequency of SSE.ConclusionsGiven the strong association between psychosocial factors and skin examination behaviors, particularly among people with no history of melanoma, we recommend that greater attempts be made to integrate psycho-education into the fabric of public health initiatives and clinical care, with clinicians, researchers, and advocacy groups playing a key role in guiding individuals to appropriate tools and resources.

Keywords

AdultAnxietyAustraliaChi-square distributionCross-sectional studiesEuropeFemaleHealth knowledge, attitudes, practiceHealth surveysHumansInternetIsraelMaleMelanomaMiddle agedPhysical examinationRisk assessmentSelf efficacySelf-examinationSkinSkin neoplasmsSocial conformityUnited statesYoung adult

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Archives Of Dermatology due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2012, it was in position 4/59, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Dermatology.

From a relative perspective, and based on the normalized impact indicator calculated from the Field Citation Ratio (FCR) of the Dimensions source, it yields a value of: 7.37, which indicates that, compared to works in the same discipline and in the same year of publication, it ranks as a work cited above average. (source consulted: Dimensions Aug 2025)

Specifically, and according to different indexing agencies, this work has accumulated citations as of 2025-08-14, the following number of citations:

  • Europe PMC: 26

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-08-14:

  • The use, from an academic perspective evidenced by the Altmetric agency indicator referring to aggregations made by the personal bibliographic manager Mendeley, gives us a total of: 85.
  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 92 (PlumX).

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

  • The Total Score from Altmetric: 0.25.
  • The number of mentions on the social network Facebook: 1 (Altmetric).

Leadership analysis of institutional authors

This work has been carried out with international collaboration, specifically with researchers from: Australia.