Improvement in Patient Performance of Skin Self-examinations After Intervention With Interactive Education and Telecommunication Reminders

Abstract

Objective:To determine if interactive computerized patient education, skin self-examination (SSE) tutorials, and telecommunication reminders could be combined to increase patient performance of SSEs, increase confidence in ability to identify melanoma, and influence individual melanoma risk perception.Design: A total of 132 adult participants from our dermatology clinics were enrolled in an interventional study and randomized to a control group or an intervention group. Survey data were collected from all participants on the day of enrollment and 3 months after enrollment.Setting: University Hospitals Case Medical Center outpatient dermatology clinics.Participants: English speakers older than 18 years. Interventions:The intervention group (1) participated in a computer-assisted learning tutorial, (2) took part in a hands-on SSE tutorial, (3) received monthly telecommunication reminders to perform SSEs for 12 weeks, and (4) receivedabrochureonmelanomadetection.Thecontrolgroup received only the brochure on melanoma detection. Main Outcome Measures: Self-report of performance of SSEs. Melanoma risk perception and confidence in ability to identify melanoma were secondary considerations. Logistic regressions, controlling for race, age, sex, education, and family history of melanoma, were used to assess the effectiveness of the intervention.Results: At the 3-month follow-up, those in the intervention group were more likely to perform SSEs (odds ratio [OR], 2.36; P Յ .05). In addition, those who participated in the intervention were more likely to report being confident in their ability to identify melanoma during an SSE (OR,2.72; P Յ.05). Conclusion:Computer-assisted patient education used in conjunction with a hands-on SSE tutorial and telecommunication reminders can increase patient performance of SSEs and confidence in the ability to identify melanoma.

Improving subjective perception of personal cancer risk: systematic review and meta‐analysis of educational interventions for people with cancer or at high risk of cancer

“…The quality assessment of included RCTs showed that for items related to potential risk of bias due to allocation, nine of 12 RCTs provided a description indicating that the sequence was adequately generated and that the allocation was adequately concealed, and three studies [] had unclear descriptions of these processes. Blinding of participants, personnel and outcome assessors was reported as present in five studies [], not adequately described in three [], and four explicitly described their study was not blinded []. Incomplete outcome data were adequately described in two studies , unclearly described in nine studies [] and not adequately described to judge risk of bias in one study [].…”

“…Blinding of participants, personnel and outcome assessors was reported as present in five studies [], not adequately described in three [], and four explicitly described their study was not blinded []. Incomplete outcome data were adequately described in two studies , unclearly described in nine studies [] and not adequately described to judge risk of bias in one study []. For potential risk of bias from selective reporting, only one study [] indicated that a protocol was available by providing the trial registration number.…”

Effectiveness of interventions to support the early detection of skin cancer through skin self‐examination: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…). From 22 included papers, detailed in Table S1 (see Supporting Information), we identified 18 included studies, as three papers reported on the same set of studies, with some reporting additional outcomes.…”

“…Secondary prevention research has addressed SSE behaviour to assist in early detection, using educational interventions, although knowledge may not be the only relevant behaviour‐related factor operating. Furthermore, many interventions employ digital technology strategies to facilitate the SSE process . However, there are no meta‐analyses of their effectiveness, and other than a single narrative review this is restricted to smartphone interventions .…”

User preferences for text message-delivered skin cancer prevention and early detection

“…16,17 This form of communication may also be more cost-effective than telephone or print-based messaging. 14,18 Three studies have used SMS in the context of skin cancer prevention; [19][20][21][22] however, none evaluated in detail the user experience with such messages. The Healthy Text program included weekly to monthly text messages sent over 12 months.…”