The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners
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Colour is often used as a sign in medicine, yet there have been few studies into the effects of a colour vision deficiency (CVD) on doctors' medical skills. Using a literature search, the results indicate the prevalence of CVD in the medical profession and its effects on medical skills. For the congenital form among male doctors in the United Kingdom, the prevalence is shown to be probably about the same as for the population at large; i.e. 8%. ⋯ The effect on skills is also shown. Because of certain features of their work, general practitioners may have special problems. Thus, it is concluded that medical students and doctors should be screened for the deficiency and advised about it, and that there should be more study of the effects of CVD on decision-making in general practice and some specialties.
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Colour vision deficiency (CVD) is a common anomaly, especially in the male population. A group of doctors with CVD was compared with a control group. Doctors with CVD differed from controls in respect of their ability to detect, and in their confidence in the assessment of, abnormalities presented in clinical photographs. These findings suggest that doctors with CVD should take special care to ensure safe clinical practice.