Date Available

4-24-2023

Year of Publication

2023

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Committee Chair

Dr. Elizabeth Tovar

Clinical Mentor

Dr. Julianne Ewen

Committee Member

Dr. Angela Grubbs

Abstract

Background: It can take an average of 38.9 days to see dermatology from referral to initial appointment. As a result, delays in diagnosis and treatment of life-threatening conditions such as malignant melanoma could occur. Primary care providers frequently refer patients for benign conditions that can be appropriately managed in the primary care setting; often due to lack of knowledge or confidence in their clinical management skills. Educational resources equip providers with the knowledge and tools to feel confident in their management of various skin conditions in a primary care setting. Purpose: The purpose of this project was to evaluate the effect of a web-based video training on Kentucky APRNs’ confidence, comfort, and knowledge levels with identifying and initiating diagnostic procedures for malignant melanoma skin lesions. Methods: A quasi-experimental one group pretest-posttest design with an educational intervention was used. The educational module sent via email to the Kentucky Association of Nurse Practitioners and Nurse Midwives (KANPNM) listserv included a five-minute video about malignant melanoma followed by a QR code with information regarding five common dermatology diagnoses. Pre- and post- surveys were used to assess confidence and comfort levels regarding dermatology care. Results: A total of 28 KANPNM members completed the entire study. There was a statistically significant increase in providers’ comfort levels with diagnosing and treating dermatology issues (p = .005) and performing specific diagnostic procedures for malignant melanoma before seeing a dermatologist (p = .013). A significant improvement was observed after the education in providers’ feelings of being equipped with the proper risk assessment tools for malignant melanoma (p = .010) and providers’ confidence in malignant melanoma identification (p = < 2 .001). Almost all the participants agreed the video was helpful (92%) and the majority agreed that they learned something new (69%) and that they will apply something that they learned from the educational video into their practice (56%). Discussion: Consistent with the literature, APRN confidence, comfort, and knowledge levels regarding dermatology increased after a brief online educational video. Online dermatology education should be utilized among APRNs to increase their confidence, comfort, and knowledge levels with dermatology cases to provide comprehensive patient centered care, save lives, and reduce patient morbidity.

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