The Effect of Pre-Education on Patient Compliance with Full-Body Examination in a Public Skin Cancer Screening

Abstract

Public skin cancer screening has become increasingly common in recent years. However, currently there is no standardized procedure for these screenings. Full body skin examination as opposed to examination of sun-exposed areas offers several advantages, including the opportunity to diagnose early melanoma in areas normally covered by clothing. Disadvantages of full body skin examination include patient resistance because of inconvenience and concerns about privacy and modesty. The additional time involved in full body skin examination may also be an impediment. In a randomized double-armed study, we studied whether patients were more likely to develop a positive attitude towards full body skin examination if they were advised beforehand, in writing, of the logic underlying the need for a complete examination. Patients presenting to a public skin cancer screening were divided into two groups. Group A (N = 111) received a written explanation of the need for full body skin examination and Group B (N = 175) received no information. Patients were then surveyed, after the screening, about their attitudes towards full body skin examination. Those who received pre-education were less likely (P < .05) to be concerned about a genital examination. Those who were concerned about a genital exam were compared with those who were not concerned about a genital exam, the former patients were: 1) younger (P < .05); 2) more concerned about privacy (P < .001); and 3) preferred a physician of the same sex (P < .001). Providing patients with information about the need for full body skin examination decreases concern about undergoing a skin genital exam and may minimize resistance to full body skin examination in public skin cancer screenings.