311879
Assessing chiropractic students' ability to detect and manage melanomas using standardized patients and moulage
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Methods: The study was a retrospective analysis of WebSP data during two standardized patient encounters. A malignant melanoma moulage was applied to the base of the cervical spine on the lower right side of standardized patient’s (SP) participating in a neck pain scenario during a required clinical skills examination. Standardized patient checklists were reviewed for evidence on the student’s ability to detect the suspicious skin lesion and to manage appropriately. The study was approved by the institutional review board.
Results: The cohort’s consisted of a total of 27 chiropractic students in 6th trimester; the detection rate was 41 % for noticing the skin lesion and 15% managing the skin lesion appropriately. The majority of student’s attention focused towards the standardized patient’s chief complaint of neck pain and less exploration of the melanoma that was visibly noticeable.
Conclusions: The study low detection rate and the lack of appropriate management for a malignant melanoma is a significant teachable moment for chiropractic student’s in the 6th trimester even though they are given a mandatory 1 credit hour course in dermatology in the 5th Trimester. Further studies need to be conducted on chiropractic students in the detection of melanomas during a non-dermatologic simulated patient encounter.
Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health educationChronic disease management and prevention
Other professions or practice related to public health
Learning Objectives:
Describe the use standardized patients to evaluate student performance on detecting melanomas.
Keyword(s): Cancer Prevention and Screening, Health Assessment
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I'm qualified to be the principal investigator for this study, I've published several papers on the topic of skin cancer screening and prevention.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.