Patient education cards for skin cancer detection and treatment.
Over 1.3 million cases of skin cancer occur annually in the USA, but no uniform or evidence-based screening guidelines exist. During a 1-year intervention, a patient education tool was distributed to patients. Billing records were utilized to compare detection and treatment rates for cancerous and precancerous skin lesions during the intervention to a historical control. No significant change in detection rates was demonstrated (RR = 1.0, p = 0.88). However, the number of procedures performed for malignant and pre-malignant skin lesions increased significantly (RR = 2.4, p < 0.0001). The patient education tool created clinically significant behavioral change at a low monetary and time cost.
Kauffman
Ryan D
RD
Riverside Family Medicine Residency Program, Riverside Methodist Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA. Ryan.Kauffman@OakhillMedical.com
Shah
Mrunal S
MS
Kauffman
Ross M
RM
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005194:Family Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D010808:Physical Examination; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control*