Clinical Skin Examination for Melanoma in Underserved Patients: Educating Primary Care Providers

Purpose The aim of this study was to educate primary care providers (PCPs), including family nurse practitioners (FNPs), about clinical skin examination (CSE) for melanoma in underserved patients using a digitally delivered video intervention. CSE was defined as melanoma risk assessment, head-to-toe skin examination, and skin lesion assessment. Background Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States; melanoma is the deadliest type. PCPs do not typically perform CSE. Little is known about how PCPs learn about or conduct CSE for their underserved patients. Methods The information-motivation-behavioral skills (IMB) model guided this quality improvement project. All 14 PCPs employed in one federally qualified health center's six regional clinics were recruited. Participants completed an online pretest of the IMB model, the intervention (four brief videos covering melanoma in underserved populations and CSE), and an identical posttest 2 weeks postintervention. Results Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Six (42.9%) participants enrolled: All were FNPs (mean age = 39.83 years, mean years of PCP experience = 3.33). Scores for the IMB model all improved on posttest. Participants reported increased CSEs in practice (mean = 1.33-9.50). Conclusion The results show strong potential for a brief video intervention to improve FNPs' CSE skills and motivate them to use those skills with underserved patients.