Melanoma Simulation Model With Smartphone Devices: Training Physicians for Early Detection of Melanoma

NCT01859845 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: STU00077615
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 63
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The specific aim of this study is to determine if interactive touchscreen-based learning with deliberate practice modules can enhance the retention of life-saving medical skills when incorporated into medical training curricula. We will analyze the retention and confidence of screening skills by comparing outcomes on pretest and posttest in each arm.

Conditions

Melanoma

Keywords

Melanoma; Opportunistic surveillance; Melanoma simulation model; Smartphone devices

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Evaluation of medical student's abilities to select pigmented lesions for review with dermoscopy on pre-didactic lecture test, pre-skills workshop test, and post-educational intervention test

  Retention will be measured using the percent of correctly identified benign nevi, clinically suspicious lesions, and melanomas identified by unaided visual inspection and the percent of correctly identified "benign" or "refer" lesions on dermoscopy images. The biopsy ratio of benign to malignant lesions will be also be assessed to determine the sensitivity and specificity outcomes of both study arms. Other outcomes measured are the confidence with identifying melanoma, attitudes toward melanoma screening, and recall of screening rules by participants. The rates of retention in both study arms will be compared on pre-workshop test and the post-test to determine if simulation learning modules positively impact learning and retention of skin screening.

  Two weeks post initial didactic education

Study Arms (2)

Control Study Arm

NO INTERVENTION

The control participants will first interact with the simulated melanoma back model to learn clinical unaided visual inspection skills and then view a passive image projected onto a screen for dermoscopy learning. Remediation of inappropriate clinical decisions will be carried out by the research coordinator and is based on predefined feedback consistent across both arms of the study. Along with the projected images, the coordinator will provide each control participant with worksheets for the clinical Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter (ABCD) and Dermoscopy 3-point check list. A copy of the completed worksheet will be made at the end of the workshop.

smartphone

EXPERIMENTAL

Each participant in the educational intervention arm will have access to a smartphone with a preloaded android software package. The smartphone software allows the participant to visualize a dermoscopic image of the pigmented lesion at the surface of the simulated melanoma model. Participants are given the freedom to navigate through the program via the smartphone to learn at their own pace with reinforcement of correct clinical management decisions and correction of weaknesses. The software content is limited to the dermoscopy information available to the positive control arm through the coordinator and the dermoscopic images projected onto the screen, thus a comparison of retention rates across both arms is possible.

Other: Smartphone

Interventions

Smartphone OTHER

Our team of dermatologists and biomechanical engineers led by the PI developed a simulation skills training prototype device using a smartphone. Software was developed to teach dermoscopic evaluation of pigmented lesions using the "three-poin checklist of dermoscopy". The software used in the smartphone presentation of the educational intervention also provides a decision tree of clinical management options and best-practices feedback. No patients are involved in this research.

Also known as: educational intervention

smartphone

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Thirty 4th year medical students and 2nd year physician assistant (PA) students with previous experience with the Melanoma Simulation Model of the back (IRB STU00025072)
• Eighty third-year medical students and thirty PA students

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Northwestern University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Northwestern University Department of Dermatology

Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Melanoma

Interventions

Early Intervention, Educational

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neuroendocrine Tumors; Neuroectodermal Tumors; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal; Neoplasms by Histologic Type; Neoplasms; Neoplasms, Nerve Tissue; Nevi and Melanomas; Skin Neoplasms; Neoplasms by Site; Skin Diseases; Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Child Health Services; Community Health Services; Health Services; Health Care Facilities Workforce and Services; Preventive Health Services

Study Officials

• June K Robinson, MD

  Northwestern University Department of Dermatology

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SCREENING
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Research Professor of Dermatology

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 20, 2013
• First Posted: May 22, 2013
• Study Start: April 1, 2013
• Primary Completion: July 1, 2014
• Study Completion: July 1, 2014
• Last Updated: August 1, 2014

Record last verified: 2014-07

Locations

US (1)