Insructional Intervention to Detect Melonoma

This study examined the effects of an instructional intervention on the detection of melanoma. Subjects were 50 male and female hospital house staff and residents and attending physicians, chosen from a local hospital, who volunteered to participate. A selection of photographs of skin lesions and melanomas were presented to hospital staff before and after an instructional intervention (lecture). Resulting data was statistically analyzed. It was hypothesized that the instructional intervention would have a significant effect on the detection of melanoma. Findings were significant at a .054 level, demonstrating differences between the pre and posttest which were assumed due to the instructional intervention. Implications of the findings are that further experimental examination of educational interventions regarding melanoma detection is warranted.

Melanoma is reported to be the eighth most common cancer in the United States and the cause of 2 percent of all cancer deaths. Weinstock (2000) reported that melanoma is a substantial public health concern and early detection is feasible and would allow for a cure to be possible. Adequate inspection by dermatologists, primary care physicians, health care professionals, families, and patients would result in early detection.

Dermatologists develop training and skills for the greatest expertise in diagnosis of skin lesions. Patients and families have the most intimate knowledge about and opportun

ians lack confidence in their ability to diagnose melanoma and therefore they tend to avoid careful examination of the skin (Weinstock, 2000). Austoker (1994) reported that sunlight is the main cause of melanoma and exposure to the sun can be easily modified if people were aware of this danger. Education for the public and professionals has been initiated in several areas around the world, and results of this effort have been mixed. It has been proposed that checklists should be considered in attempting to diagnose melanoma. A checklist of seven points was devised by MacKie, which was later revised into a major and minor signs. Major signs include change in size, shape, and color, and minor signs include inflammation, crusting, or bleeding, sensory change, diameter>=7 mm. Three or four minor signs requires a referral. A major sign must consider rapid referral and additional presence of one or more minor signs increases the possibility of melanoma (Austoker, 1994). Jackson, Wilkinson, Ranger, Pill, and August (1998) reported findings of using the MacKie risk factor flow chart with a group of male and female patients. Findings showed that agreement between patient's self appraisal and clinical examinations was .67 for freck

Category: Medical - I