Oral Presentation Skin Cancer 2024

Impact of SunSmart Victoria’s Dermoscopy for Victorian General Practice Program 2020-23  (#47)

Stephanie Cowdery 1 2 , Clover Maitland 2 3 , Shannon Jones 4
  1. Carer Hub - A Centre of Excellence in Cancer Carer Research Translation and Impact. School of Nursing and Midwifery. , Deakin University, Burwood, Vic, Australia
  2. Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, Cancer Council Victoria, East Melbourne, Vic, Australia
  3. School of Human Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
  4. SunSmart Victoria, Cancer Council Australia, East Melbourne, Vic, Australia

Background 

Skin cancer is the most common cancer managed by General Practitioners (GPs) in Australia1. Dermoscopy can increase diagnostic accuracy of skin cancer over clinical inspection alone but necessitates training and equipment to be effective2. This study evaluates the impact of SunSmart Victoria’s Dermoscopy for Victorian General Practice Program 2020-23. 

 

Methods 

Survey data was collected from GPs pre- and post-program. Respondents self-reported confidence and provision of preventive information; and the number of skin examinations, lesions excised, and diagnosed melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) was compared pre- and post-program by season. 

 

Results 

Between 2020 to 2023, 206 GPs completed the program, with 145 GPs completing the post-program survey. Post-program, mean confidence scores in dermatoscope use (7.7, SD=1.2), diagnosing melanoma (7.8, SD=1.2) and NMSC (7.6, SD=1.2) significantly increased from pre-program (4.1, SD = 2.2; 4.8, SD=2.0 and 5.3, SD=2.0 respectively). Additionally, provision of skin cancer preventive information to most and higher-risk patients significantly increased (63% cf. 28%; and 83% cf. 49%). Moreover, there was a significant increase in the number of skin examinations conducted and lesions excised from pre- (Mdn=12.0; Mdn=4.0) to post-program (Mdn=20.0; Mdn=6.0).  

 

Conclusion 

The Program was effective in increasing GP confidence in dermoscopy and diagnosis of skin cancer. Importantly, participation also increased provision of preventive information to high-risk patients. Moreover, there were significant changes in GP practice and treatment with increases in skin examinations and the number of lesions excised. Additional data is being collected to assess Program impact on skin cancer diagnostic accuracy, and cost effectiveness. 

  1. Wilkinson D, Askew DA, Dixon A. Skin cancer clinics in Australia: workload profile and performance indicators from an analysis of billing data. Med J Aust 2006 Feb 20;184(4):162-4 Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16489899.
  2. Dinnes J, Deeks JJ, Chuchu N, Ferrante di Ruffano L, Matin RN, Thomson DR, et al. Dermoscopy, with and without visual inspection, for diagnosing melanoma in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2018 Dec 4;12:CD011902 Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30521682.