Computer-Based Continuing Education for Doctors in Examination and Counseling of Patients on Skin Cancer or Weight Control



Status:Recruiting
Conditions:Skin Cancer, Cancer
Therapuetic Areas:Oncology
Healthy:No
Age Range:18 - Any
Updated:4/2/2016
Start Date:June 2004

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Efficacy of Web-Based Instruction on Skin Cancer Triage

RATIONALE: Computer-based continuing education courses may be effective in improving the
skills of primary care doctors to identify skin cancer risk factors, perform skin cancer
exams, and counsel patients. They may also improve the skills of primary care doctors to
assess and counsel patients on their weight, diet, and physical activity.

PURPOSE: This randomized clinical trial is studying how well computer-based continuing
education courses work in improving doctors' ability to perform skin cancer or weight
control exams and counseling during routine office visits.

OBJECTIVES:

Primary

- Compare the efficacy of a continuing education course designed to improve primary care
physician performance in examination and counseling of patients about skin cancer vs a
continuing education course designed to improve physician assessment of weight
management.

- Evaluate physician performance of skin examination during routine patient visits at 12
months after completion of the skin cancer continuing education course.

- Evaluate physician counseling around skin cancer issues.

Secondary

- Evaluate the efficacy of the skin cancer continuing education course in improving
physician skin cancer triage skills and in changing physician attitudes and knowledge
regarding skin cancer issues.

- Assess improvements in physician assessment of weight, diet, and physical activity.

OUTLINE: This is a randomized, multicenter study. Physicians are stratified according to
participating center. Physicians are randomized to 1 of 2 intervention arms.

- Arm I (skin cancer continuing education course): Physicians complete a 1-hour
continuing education course on skin cancer. The course is available to the physician as
a reference for up to 12 months. Physicians complete an online test at baseline,
immediately after the course is completed, and at 1 month and 12 months after course
completion to assess their knowledge, attitudes, skill, and practices towards skin
examination and skin cancer counseling.

Patients are interviewed by telephone within 1 week after a routine office visit with their
physician to assess the physician's skin assessment and skin cancer counseling practices.
The interviews are conducted prior to and at 1 month and 12 months after the physician
completes the continuing education course.

- Arm II (weight control continuing education course): Physicians complete a 1-hour
continuing education course on weight, dietary, and physical activity assessment and
counseling. The course is available to the physician as a reference for up to 12
months. Physicians complete an online test at baseline, immediately after the course is
completed, and at 1 month and 12 months after course completion to assess their
knowledge, attitudes, skill, and practices towards weight, dietary, and physical
activity assessment and counseling.

Patients are interviewed by telephone within 1 week after a routine office visit with their
physician to assess the physician's weight, dietary, and physical activity assessment and
counseling practices. The interviews are conducted prior to and at 1 month and 12 months
after the physician completes the continuing education course.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 50 physicians and 4,500 patients will be accrued for this
study.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Primary care physician, meeting all of the following criteria:

- General internist or family physician

- Must devote at least 75% of their time to primary care practice

- At least 1 year in practice

- Must be in a community-based practice with no more than 1 participating
physician per practice

- Must not be planning to retire within the next 2 years

- Has a patient population that is predominantly at substantial risk of melanoma
and other skin cancers (i.e., adults whose non-sun-exposed skin color is white
or tan, but not brown)

- Patient

- Adult who is scheduled for a routine office visit with a study physician

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

- Not specified

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

- Not specified
We found this trial at
5
sites
Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute at Ohio State University...
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Columbus, OH
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593 Eddy Street
Providence, Rhode Island 02903
401-444-4000
Rhode Island Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center The Comprehensive Cancer Center at Rhode Island Hospital is...
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Providence, RI
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111 S 11th St,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
(877) 503-8350
Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University - Philadelphia The Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson...
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Philadelphia, PA
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San Diego, CA
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Wichita, KS
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