The skinny on skin: The role of skin‐aware professionals in skin cancer surveillance

• Published in: Journal of cosmetic dermatology 2024-09, Vol.23 (12), p.4173-4201
• Main Authors: Diehl, Kyra, Nelson, Jacob, Haddadin, Olivia, Stoos, Elizabeth, Shafer, Autumn, Mason, Amy, Girard, Deb, Malcolm, Theresa, Geller, Alan C., Latour, Emile, Bailey, Elizabeth, Young, Jade N., Zhao, Hannah, Gillespie, Jordan, Pfeifer, Hailey, Lee, Claudia, Shea, Moira, DeCampos‐Stairiker, Mallory, Smith, Jake, Becker, Alyssa, Bash, Gina N., Sahni, Vikram, Fan, Yichen, Munoz, Elena Paz, Baron, David, Popovici, Nadia, Orfaly, Victoria E., Baghoomian, Wenelia, Foltz, Emilie, Kahlen, Kristen, Savory, Stephanie, Jacobe, Heidi, Leachman, Sancy A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Curriculum; Dermatologic Surgery; Early Detection of Cancer - methods; education; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Personnel - education; Humans; Male; melanoma; Middle Aged; Original; Professional Role; Self Efficacy; skin cancer; Skin Neoplasms - diagnosis; Skin Neoplasms - prevention & control; skin‐aware professional; Surveys and Questionnaires - statistics & numerical data; training
• ISSN: 1473-2130; 1473-2165; 1473-2165
• DOI: 10.1111/jocd.16536

Background Licensed nonmedical, skin‐aware professionals (e.g., hairdressers, massage therapists, etc.) have the potential to identify skin cancer, but baseline knowledge may not be sufficient to accomplish this goal. Following educational intervention, self‐efficacy is one of the best surrogate metrics for behavior change. Curricula that increase knowledge and confidence levels can improve screening behaviors, but few have been tested for efficacy in this population Aims We assessed whether an online curriculum could reliably improve skin screening knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of nonmedical professionals Patients/Methods Skin‐aware professionals were recruited through the Oregon Health Authority and IMPACT Melanoma TM. Participants completed a pre‐survey, online training module, post‐survey, and one‐year follow‐up survey. We evaluated participants' indicated levels of concern for suspicious and nonsuspicious lesions relative to “gold standard” physician ratings. We also assessed confidence and self‐reported behavior change regarding talking to clients about skin cancer and recommending they see a provider to evaluate suspicious lesions Results The pre‐survey was completed by 9872 skin‐aware professionals; 5434 completed the post‐survey, and 162 completed the one‐year follow‐up survey. Participants showed a significant improvement in ability to indicate the correct level of concern for all lesion types in concordance with “gold standard” physician ratings (p