title: Efficacy of an educational intervention with kidney transplant recipients to promote skin self-examination for squamous cell carcinoma detection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop easily disseminated educational materials that enable early detection of skin cancer, and to examine the effectiveness of the materials to promote skin self-examination (SSE) among kidney transplant recipients (KTRs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized controlled trial of an educational intervention in comparison with a group that received only the assessment, education, and treatment as part of usual care with a nephrologist.
  
  
  METHODS
  Academic ambulatory nephrology practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-five KTRs returning for routine care to their nephrologists 1 to 1.2 years or 3 to 7 years after transplantation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Educational workbook.
  
  
  METHODS
  Skin self-examination performance and new appointments with a dermatologist if a concerning skin lesion was found.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-two percent of those in the control group checked their skin after the visit compared with 89% of the treatment condition; thus, KTRs receiving the intervention were significantly more likely to have checked their skin (χ(2); P < .001). Among the 8 control KTRs who checked their skin, none found areas of concern. Of the 34 intervention KTRs who checked their skin, 12 participants (35%) found areas of concern. All 12 of these individuals made appointments with a dermatologist for follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The KTRs were receptive to performing SSE and acted on the recommendation made in the workbook to make an appointment with a dermatologist when a concerning lesion was discovered. Printed educational materials can be initiated in the tertiary care center 1 year after transplantation and used across a continuum of time during which KTRs may be transferred from the tertiary care center to community nephrologists.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01127737.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 132 E Delaware Pl, No. 5806, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. june-robinson@northwestern.edu
authors.forename: June K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Rob
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Turrisi
authors.forename: Kimberly A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Mallett
authors.forename: Jerod
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stapleton
authors.forename: Susan L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Boone
authors.forename: Nikki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Nayna Vicky
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Riyat
authors.forename: Elisa J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Gordon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D016353:Self-Examination; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology