NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN EDUCATIONAL-PROGRAM ON MALIGNANT-MELANOMA FOR GENERAL-PRACTITIONERS

A key step in the development of any educational programme is needs as sessment. Its importance is illustrated in the context of an education al programme on malignant melanoma for general practitioners. Needs we re identified through: in-depth interviews with general practitioners, including a critical-incident study; a questionnaire to elicit genera l practitioners' views on the required programme content; a study of t he indications given by general practitioners for the referral of pati ents with suspected malignant melanoma; a questionnaire sent to plasti c surgeons and dermatologists, to elicit their views on indicators for referral; the views of an advisory group of specialists; a review of the published literature on malignant melanoma, including general text books written specifically for general practitioners. For the general practitioner managing a patient with suspected melanoma, the key need is deciding whether to refer that patient to hospital. The educational strategies incorporated in any educational programme developed should reflect this key need.