General practitioner and patient response during a public education program to encourage skin examinations

John B Lowe; K P Balanda; Chris B Del Mar; J Purdie; A M Hilsdon

doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.1994.tb127381.x

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General practitioner and patient response during a public education program to encourage skin examinations

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

General practitioner and patient response during a public education program to encourage skin examinations

John B Lowe, K P Balanda, Chris B Del Mar, J Purdie and A M Hilsdon

Medical Journal of Australia, Vol.161(3), pp.195-198

1994

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5694/j.1326-5377.1994.tb127381.x

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Abstract

Medical and Health Sciences

skin examinations

health education

Objective: To describe the response of general practitioners (GPs) and patients during the 1991 National Skin Cancer Awareness Week media campaign. Design: Skin examinations in general practices in three representative regional towns in Queensland were monitored for five weeks around the time of the campaign and participating GPs were personally interviewed. Outcome measures: Number and type of consultations in which the skin was examined for cancer before, during and after the campaign, and GPs' attitudes and beliefs about skin checks. Results: The 46 GPs (47%) who participated, representing 60% of the practices, conducted 1805 consultations in which the skin was examined for cancer. The number of consultations in which skin examinations were conducted by each GP increased by 56% during the campaign. Skin checks were nearly always initiated by the patient (90%), and in only half of all cases was the examination given as the primary reason for the consultation. Sixty-two per cent of lesions were considered to be clinically benign. Conclusion: Public education programs may have an impact on the level of skin examinations requested in general practice consultations. Currently, patients are the principal initiators of such examinations during consultations - there is potential to increase the active role played by GPs in support of patient requests for the early detection of skin cancer.

Details

Title: General practitioner and patient response during a public education program to encourage skin examinations
Authors: John B Lowe (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and Education
K P Balanda (Author) - University of Queensland
Chris B Del Mar (Author) - University of Queensland
J Purdie (Author)
A M Hilsdon (Author)
Publication details: Medical Journal of Australia, Vol.161(3), pp.195-198
Publisher: Australasian Medical Publishing Company Pty. Ltd.
Date published: 1994
DOI: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1994.tb127381.x
ISSN: 0025-729X
Copyright note: Lowe JB, Balanda KP, Del Mar CB et al. General practitioner and patient response during a public education program to encourage skin examinations. Med J Aust 1994; 161 (3): 195-198. © Copyright 1994. The Medical Journal of Australia - reproduced with permission.
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449631902621
Output Type: Journal article

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