Melanoma Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes: A Feasibility Study of Melanoma Screening Implementation in Primary Care Settings

Introduction Melanoma incidence rates are rising faster than the rates of any other malignancy. As a major global public health concern, melanoma can be identified by a visual exam not requiring expensive invasive procedures. However, non-dermatologists lack specialized training and skills to identify high-risk patients and implement melanoma skin screenings during regular exams. Most patients from rural and underserved areas have inadequate access to specialty dermatologic care, which can potentially lead to later-stage melanomas and poor patient outcomes. The objective of this study was to identify facilitators and barriers to the implementation of risk surveys and melanoma skin screenings in primary care settings through live interactive education and the telementoring project - Melanoma ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes). Methods This cross-sectional study was designed with theoretical concepts from dissemination and implementation research. Monthly Melanoma ECHO sessions were integrated into an ongoing Dermatology ECHO at the University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA, from April 2018 to February 2019. Ten primary care providers, medical doctors/doctors of osteopathic medicine (MDs/DOs), nurse practitioners (NPs), and physician assistants (PAs), from across Missouri participated. Eleven virtual monthly melanoma-related didactics and case-based discussions were provided to participants. Information regarding risk factors, risk surveys, and screening techniques was provided. Ongoing telementoring and guidance were also provided for de-identified real-life patient cases. The main outcomes and measures of the study were to identify the facilitators and barriers of risk survey and melanoma skin screenings in primary care settings and to quantify the number of high-risk patients identified by participating providers and the number of new melanomas detected by visual exams during the study period. Results The primary reason why six out of 10 providers reported participation in Melanoma ECHO was that implementing melanoma skin screenings in their practice was made easier as it increased their confidence. Nine providers reported increased knowledge, and eight cited professional networking as other facilitators. The main perceived barrier to melanoma skin screening was lack of administrative and nursing support, and six providers indicated that lack of time to incorporate skin exams was also a barrier. Combined, ten participants reported identifying 976 high-risk patients during the study period and detecting 36 new melanomas. Discussion and conclusion Our findings indicate that primary care providers may benefit from attending regularly scheduled and focused specialized telementoring sessions, such as Melanoma ECHO. Ongoing support from specialists may help providers practicing in rural and isolated areas with the successful integration of risk surveys and melanoma skin screenings in primary care settings. Further Melanoma ECHO sessions with a more diverse group of primary care providers are needed to better understand the generalizability of the results.