Evaluation of skin cancer seminar for general practitioners: Changes in knowledge, diagnostic and procedural skills, beliefs, and self-reported practices

✍ Scribed by Jeanette Ward; Catherine Boyle

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1995
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 764 KB
• Volume: 15
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0894-1912
• DOI: 10.1002/chp.4750150405

✦ Synopsis

A one-day seminar was conducted in six rural sites in New South Wales, Australia. Using a pre-and post-test design, we evaluated changes in general practitioners ' knowledge, self-reported skills, self-reported practices in early detection and treatment of skin cancel; and their beliefs about the value of skin checks and screening. Of total participants, 93% completed pretests and 83% completed both pre-and post-tests. Signifcant improvements in knowledge, self-reported confidence ratings, and procedural skills were demonstrated, although not all participants attained desirable levels of knowledge and confidence atposttest. Further, the lack of scientific evidence to support skin checks, as taught during the seminar using a problem-based approach, was insufficient to alter most participants 'beliefs in an intrinsic benefit from mass screening. Implications for medical educators and public health are discussed.