Lori Fischbach1, Mohammed F Faramawi1,2, Deborah Girard3, Susan Thapa1, Robin Travers4. 1. Department of Epidemiology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Public Health, Little Rock, AR, USA. 2. Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Public Health, Little Rock, AR, USA. 3. IMPACT Melanoma, Concord, MA USA. 4. Skin Care Physicians of Chestnut Hill,Chestnut Hill,MA, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: We tested an educational video in cosmetology schools to increase students' knowledge about skin cancer, sun-safety practices, identifying suspicious lesions and recommending clients consult a dermatologist when a suspicious lesion is observed. METHODS: We used a cluster-randomized controlled study design to randomize 22 cosmetology schools to receive our educational video or a publicly accessible healthy lifestyle video (control). RESULTS: Students who received the intervention were more likely than controls to increase their knowledge of skin cancer, risk factors and how to identify potential skin cancers (risk ratio [RR] and 95% confidence interval = 2.86 [1.58-5.20]). At follow-up, students in the intervention group were more likely than those in the control group to look for suspicious moles on their clients' faces, scalps and necks (RRs = 1.75, 2.16 and 2.90, respectively). Additionally, students in the intervention group were more likely to communicate with clients about sun-safety practices (RR = 1.74 [1.11-2.73]) and consulting a dermatologist about suspicious moles (RR = 1.57 [1.03-2.41]). CONCLUSIONS: Our educational video helped cosmetology students recognize potential skin cancers and talk with clients about sun safety and consulting a dermatologist about suspicious moles. Such videos may play a role in the public health surveillance of skin cancers in communities.
BACKGROUND: We tested an educational video in cosmetology schools to increase students' knowledge about skin cancer, sun-safety practices, identifying suspicious lesions and recommending clients consult a dermatologist when a suspicious lesion is observed. METHODS: We used a cluster-randomized controlled study design to randomize 22 cosmetology schools to receive our educational video or a publicly accessible healthy lifestyle video (control). RESULTS: Students who received the intervention were more likely than controls to increase their knowledge of skin cancer, risk factors and how to identify potential skin cancers (risk ratio [RR] and 95% confidence interval = 2.86 [1.58-5.20]). At follow-up, students in the intervention group were more likely than those in the control group to look for suspicious moles on their clients' faces, scalps and necks (RRs = 1.75, 2.16 and 2.90, respectively). Additionally, students in the intervention group were more likely to communicate with clients about sun-safety practices (RR = 1.74 [1.11-2.73]) and consulting a dermatologist about suspicious moles (RR = 1.57 [1.03-2.41]). CONCLUSIONS: Our educational video helped cosmetology students recognize potential skin cancers and talk with clients about sun safety and consulting a dermatologist about suspicious moles. Such videos may play a role in the public health surveillance of skin cancers in communities.
Authors: Robert M Hamm; David M Kelley; Jose A Medina; Noreen S Syed; Geraint A Harris; Frank J Papa Journal: BMC Med Educ Date: 2022-01-26 Impact factor: 2.463