Computer-Based Continuing Education for Doctors in Examination and Counseling of Patients on Skin Cancer or Weight Control

OBJECTIVES:

Primary

- Compare the efficacy of a continuing education course designed to improve primary care
physician performance in examination and counseling of patients about skin cancer vs a
continuing education course designed to improve physician assessment of weight
management.

- Evaluate physician performance of skin examination during routine patient visits at 12
months after completion of the skin cancer continuing education course.

- Evaluate physician counseling around skin cancer issues.

Secondary

- Evaluate the efficacy of the skin cancer continuing education course in improving
physician skin cancer triage skills and in changing physician attitudes and knowledge
regarding skin cancer issues.

- Assess improvements in physician assessment of weight, diet, and physical activity.

OUTLINE: This is a randomized, multicenter study. Physicians are stratified according to
participating center. Physicians are randomized to 1 of 2 intervention arms.

- Arm I (skin cancer continuing education course): Physicians complete a 1-hour
continuing education course on skin cancer. The course is available to the physician as
a reference for up to 12 months. Physicians complete an online test at baseline,
immediately after the course is completed, and at 1 month and 12 months after course
completion to assess their knowledge, attitudes, skill, and practices towards skin
examination and skin cancer counseling.

Patients are interviewed by telephone within 1 week after a routine office visit with their
physician to assess the physician's skin assessment and skin cancer counseling practices.
The interviews are conducted prior to and at 1 month and 12 months after the physician
completes the continuing education course.

- Arm II (weight control continuing education course): Physicians complete a 1-hour
continuing education course on weight, dietary, and physical activity assessment and
counseling. The course is available to the physician as a reference for up to 12
months. Physicians complete an online test at baseline, immediately after the course is
completed, and at 1 month and 12 months after course completion to assess their
knowledge, attitudes, skill, and practices towards weight, dietary, and physical
activity assessment and counseling.

Patients are interviewed by telephone within 1 week after a routine office visit with their
physician to assess the physician's weight, dietary, and physical activity assessment and
counseling practices. The interviews are conducted prior to and at 1 month and 12 months
after the physician completes the continuing education course.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 50 physicians and 4,500 patients will be accrued for this
study.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Primary care physician, meeting all of the following criteria:

- General internist or family physician

- Must devote at least 75% of their time to primary care practice

- At least 1 year in practice

- Must be in a community-based practice with no more than 1 participating
physician per practice

- Must not be planning to retire within the next 2 years

- Has a patient population that is predominantly at substantial risk of melanoma
and other skin cancers (i.e., adults whose non-sun-exposed skin color is white
or tan, but not brown)

- Patient

- Adult who is scheduled for a routine office visit with a study physician

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

- Not specified

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

- Not specified