Clinical trial NCT03489356: Project Options - The ABC Method
Official title: Efficacy of a Behavioral Intervention to Reduce Skin Cancer Risk Among Patients
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Dermatology/Skin - Other
Health Behavior
Sunburn
Keywords: Addressing Behavior Change (ABC)
Addressing Behavior Change (ABC) Intervention
Addressing Behavior Change (ABC) Intervention Method
Lead sponsor: Penn State University
Sponsor class: OTHER
Collaborators: name: National Institutes of Health (NIH)
name: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
First posted: 2018-04-05
Enrollment: 186
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 21
Maximum age (years): 65
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: PREVENTION

Brief summary: The present study explores the ability of dermatologists to influence patients' behavior using a novel and brief (3 minute) behavioral intervention in the context of naturally occurring patient interactions and shows promise for long term sustainability. The incidence of invasive skin cancers, cutaneous melanoma in particular, has nearly tripled in the U.S. between 1975 and 2004, making it the fastest rising incidence rate for all cancers in the United States. Dermatologists are in an ideal position to effect change in their patients. The present study will assess whether a brief intervention (The ABC-Addressing Behavior Change method) delivered to patients by dermatologists during a skin examination will increase the use of sun protection and reduce risk behaviors compared to patients who receive treatment as usual.

Detailed description: Skin cancer is the most common malignancy in the U.S. and the incidence and mortality from skin cancer is on the rise. Individuals can decrease their risk of skin cancer by engaging in protective behaviors such as limiting intentional and unintentional UV exposure, and wearing broad-spectrum sunscreens and protective clothing. Despite knowing the risks and receiving dermatological care, many patients with and without a history of skin cancer frequently forget to use UV protection or fail to use it in an optimal manner to reduce their UV risk. To address these concerns, Mallett and colleagues developed a 3-minute brief ABC intervention - Addressing Behavior Change. The ABC intervention is designed to be delivered by dermatologists in the context of a routine office visit involving a skin examination. Previous work by Mallett and colleagues showed dermatologists were highly motivated to deliver the intervention, quickly learned the requisite skills, delivered the intervention with fidelity, and showed minimal decay in knowledge, motivation, and skills over a 6-month period. This study builds on a previous study by conducting an examination of the efficacy of the ABC intervention on patients' motivations and behaviors utilizing a prospective longitudinal design.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* scheduled for a skin exam with participating dermatologists

Exclusion Criteria:

* psoriasis

Primary outcomes:
measure: Patient Behavior Changes
timeFrame: 1 month and 3 months follow-up
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Sunburns
timeFrame: Baseline, 1 month follow-up, 3 month follow-up
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Hershey
country: United States
facility: Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
state: Pennsylvania
Study officials:
affiliation: Penn State University
name: Kimberly A Mallett, Ph.D.
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References:
citation: Mallett KA, Turrisi R, Billingsley E, Trager B, Ackerman S, Reavy R, Robinson JK. Evaluation of a Brief Dermatologist-Delivered Intervention vs Usual Care on Sun Protection Behavior. JAMA Dermatol. 2018 Sep 1;154(9):1010-1016. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2018.2331.