In reply: Our previous publications1,2 should calm Chia and Shumack’s “alarm”. We have urged for the development of education, standards, accreditation, research and audit for skin cancer clinics.1 Over the past 12 months, the Skin Cancer Society of Australia has been formed (http://www.skincancersociety.com.au), standards have been developed, a process of skin cancer practice accreditation has been established, and a masters-level degree in primary care skin cancer medicine has been created (http://www.som.uq.edu.au/skincancer/masters.htm).
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- 1. Wilkinson D, Bourne P, Dixon A, Kitchener S. Skin cancer medicine in primary care: towards an agenda for quality health outcomes. Med J Aust 2006; 184: 11-12. <MJA full text>
- 2. Wilkinson D, Askew DA, Dixon A. Skin cancer clinics in Australia: workload profile and performance indicators from an analysis of billing data. Med J Aust 2006; 184: 162-164. <MJA full text>
David Wilkinson works in a Skin Alert skin cancer clinic one day per week and is paid for this work in the same way as other doctors working at these clinics.