A Pilot Educational Intervention to Support Primary Care Provider Performance of Skin Cancer Examinations

Authors

Kelly C. Nelson, Department of Dermatology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1400 Pressler Street, Unit 1452, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
Elizabeth V. Seiverling, Division of Dermatology, Maine Medical Center, Portland, ME and Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
Nadeen Gonna, University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, USA.
Elizabeth Berry, Department of Dermatology, Oregon Health & Sciences University, Portland, OR, USA.
Elizabeth Stoos, Department of Dermatology, Oregon Health & Sciences University, Portland, OR, USA.
Chloe N. Dorsey, Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
Sarah Sepulveda, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Texas Tech University of Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX, USA.
Gerardo Vazquez, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Texas Tech University of Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX, USA.
Hung Q. Doan, Department of Dermatology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1400 Pressler Street, Unit 1452, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
Lauren E. Haydu, Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-2023

Institution/Department

Oncology; Medical Education

Journal Title

Journal of cancer education : the official journal of the American Association for Cancer Education

MeSH Headings

Humans; Skin Neoplasms (diagnosis, prevention & control); Texas; Education, Medical, Continuing; Curriculum; Primary Health Care

Abstract

Educational interventions to support Primary Care Provider (PCP) performance of skin cancer examinations typically train PCPs to "triage and refer," an approach that may result in diagnostic delays in regions without appropriate access to dermatology care. To address the needs of PCPs and patients in regions without appropriate access to dermatology care, we developed a multi-faceted pilot intervention, including a curriculum and telementoring, designed to support PCP performance of skin cancer detection examinations. Our intervention offers two levels of proficiency: "triage and refer" and "diagnose and manage." The pilot intervention was conducted in collaboration with the Texas Tech University of Health Sciences Center El Paso, TX Family and Community Medicine Department (TTUHSC-El Paso). Participation in the intervention was voluntary, and 18-22 family medicine resident physicians completed the intervention tests. The participating family medicine resident physicians demonstrated statistically significant gains in knowledge and self-efficacy at the immediate post-intervention time points. Further adaption of the pilot intervention is needed to meet the needs of practicing PCPs. The pilot tests require further adaption and validation. Translating education delivery from live/synchronous to interactive virtual/asynchronous modules will support greater educational dissemination, and telementoring support is essential to address challenging cases encountered during patient care.

First Page

364

Last Page

369

Recommended Citation

Nelson KC, Seiverling EV, Gonna N, et al. A Pilot Educational Intervention to Support Primary Care Provider Performance of Skin Cancer Examinations. J Cancer Educ. 2023;38(1):364-369. doi:10.1007/s13187-021-02126-8