Evaluation of a skin cancer prevention module for nurses: Change in knowledge, self-efficacy, and attitudes

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a 1 -week didactic and clinical skin cancer prevention training module. The eva luation assessed both the immediate and the 3-month effects of the module o n nurse participants. In addition, this study assessed whether the module h ad any secondary effects son skin cancer practices, including perceived sup port from colleagues, resources, time, and perceived responsibility to cond uct skin cancer screening activities and education. Methods. A quasi-experimental design with 32 intervention and 87 comparison subjects was employed. Instruments developed and validated specifically fo r this study were used to assess knowledge, self-efficacy, priority of skin cancer, and organizational level constructs. Results. The findings indicate that the module significantly increased gene ral and prevention knowledge as well as screening ability; the increase was stable over time. The module was also found to improve self-efficacy to sc reen and to educate. There was no effect on the organizational-level constr ucts. Conclusions. Baseline knowledge assessments validated other studies indicat ing that nurses need more education about skin cancer. Despite promising re sults from program participants, system-level barriers could impose substan tial barriers to implementation in health care practice. Knowledgeable nurs es must educate their colleagues, their supervisors, and the public about t he priority of skin cancer screening and develop strategies for creating or ganizational change to increase the likelihood that screening and patient e ducation will occur for people at risk for skin cancer.