Skin Cancer Education Interventions for Primary Care Providers: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Primary care physicians (PCPs) are often the first line of defense against skin cancers. Despite this, many PCPs do not receive a comprehensive training in skin conditions. Educational interventions aimed at skin cancer screening instruction for PCPs offer an opportunity to detect skin cancer at earlier stages and subsequent improved morbidity and mortality. A scoping review was conducted to collect data about previously reported skin cancer screening interventions for PCPs. A structured literature search found 51 studies describing 37 unique educational interventions. Curriculum elements utilized by the interventions were divided into categories that would facilitate comparison including curriculum components, delivery format, delivery timing, and outcome measures. The interventions varied widely in design, including literature-based interventions, live teaching sessions, and online courses with durations ranging from 5 min to 24 months. While several interventions demonstrated improvements in skin cancer knowledge and competency by written exams, only a few revealed positive clinical practice changes by biopsy review or referral analysis. Examining successful interventions could aid in developing a skin cancer detection curriculum for PCPs that can produce positive clinical practice and population-based changes in the management of skin cancer.

Preliminary Analysis of the Melanoma Multimedia Educational programme for general practitioners on behalf of the Italian Melanoma Intergroup

“…In addiction a comprehensive understanding of the primary and secondary prevention of cutaneous melanoma and a broad overview of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures may to be integrated in the community of primary-care health professionals, in particular GP. 8 However inadequacy training for skin cancer management, variability in the identification of high risk patients, low diagnostic accuracy, unnecessary tests, inappropriate specialist referrals as well as economic, social and geographic barriers have been reported in the setting of primary-care health operators. [5][6][7][8] Furthermore recent Italian data using a population cancer registries have suggested an overload primary care physician referral for a suspicious lesions for an increased patient presentation at dermatologic offices and have recommended a better GP triage in the referral patients.…”

“…The most utilized form of the educational course was the short term, in-person, "live" delivery format, whereas multimedia and/or online format allows for the better dissemination of training to a wider audience. 8 The multimedia highly dynamic training of healthcare workers is strongly suggested, and the use of multimedia technologies to education with the widespread adoption of e-learning tools is being recommended. 12 Furthermore, asynchronous e-learning solutions are made possible by web-based educational platforms, giving users the flexibility to finish their training at a time and method that suits them best.…”

“…12 Furthermore, asynchronous e-learning solutions are made possible by web-based educational platforms, giving users the flexibility to finish their training at a time and method that suits them best. 8 Brown et al showed improvements in skin cancer knowledge and expertise with the best results using multimedia technologies with e learning tools and dermoscopy course whereas poor results have been reported with short-term course without active interaction. 8 In Italy the effects of educational course on melanoma are scarce and focused on diagnosis of melanoma or simulators (melanocytic nevi and non-melanoma skin cancer).…”

“…8 The most relevant successful results with practice change involved multimedia technologies with e learning, dermoscopy course and management according to guideline. 8 With the rapid advancement of technology, multimedia digital education has become an essential part of modern medical community and e-learning tools are transforming knowledge and experience levels. According to the Italian Oncological Plan 2023-2027 planned by Health Ministry on the importance of multidisciplinary and interactive e-learning training, the Italian Melanoma Intergroup (IMI) has developed MelaMEd (Melanoma Multimedia Education) project, a national programme for GP on the prevention and detection of cutaneous melanoma through an online platform and an online course.…”

Evaluation of primary care physicians' competence in selective skin tumour triage after short versus long dermoscopy training: a randomized non‐inferiority trial

“…Specific educational training programs, [11][12][13][14] including dermoscopy training, have demonstrated to enhance PCPs' diagnostic accuracy and management of skin cancer. [15][16][17][18] Nevertheless, dermoscopy is currently used very little by PCPs [19][20][21] probably due to lack of adequate training opportunities and to the long training duration required to become competent.…”