Characteristics of mohs practices in the united states: A recall survey of ACMS surgeons

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to better characterize the typical Mohs practice in the United States and to generate data that may be useful in future practice models. METHODS A survey was mailed in 2004 to all 599 members of the American College of Mohs Surgery with United States addresses listed in the 2003 directory. RESULTS Most respondents were part of a single speciality group, in a suburban or urban setting, performed between 501-1,000 cases per year, and had been in practice from 0-5 years. The vast majority of Mohs excisions are for basal cell cancers and squamous cell cancers, followed by melanoma. Primary closure is the most common method of repair, followed by the use of flaps. Only 6% of cases were referred to other specialties for closure. Many surgeons augment their practice with non-Mohs cosmetic procedures. CONCLUSION The characteristics of current Mohs surgery practices in the United States provides useful data for training programs, potential trainees, workforce issues, statistical modeling systems, and Mohs surgeons in the evaluation of their own practices.