One-year followup on the impact of a sun awareness curriculum on medical students' knowledge, attitudes, and behavior.
BACKGROUND
A one-week sun awareness curriculum was developed at the University of Western Ontario to educate first-year medical students on skin cancer risks and prevention.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the retention of knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral practices one year after receiving education in sun awareness.


METHODS
Three surveys were administered: before, immediately after the sun awareness teaching, and one year later. Actual practiced behavior in the past year was compared with the intended behavior.


RESULTS
Half as many sunburns were reported in the year following the sun awareness curriculum compared with the previous year. Medical students demonstrated a good retention of the knowledge learned a year earlier. However, many students still believed that a tanned appearance looks healthy. While there was intent to adopt more healthy behavior after the curriculum, the actual behavior practiced varied.


CONCLUSIONS
An undergraduate medical curriculum on sun awareness can be effective in improving the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of future physicians.
Liu
K E
KE
The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
Barankin
B
B
Howard
J
J
Guenther
L C
LC
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003479:Curriculum; D003880:Dermatology / Q000193:education*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D013473:Sunscreening Agents