TY - JOUR
T1 - MELACARE Nurse-led follow-up after early-stage melanoma
T2 - protocol and feasibility
AU - Hansen, Sara M.
AU - Johansen, Christoffer
AU - Obinah, Magnus P.B.
AU - Kasparian, Nadine A.
AU - Genter, Peter
AU - Bidstrup, Pernille E.
AU - Hölmich, Lisbet R.
PY - 2024
Y1 - 2024
N2 - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We developed the Melacare nurse-led intervention, which combines education in skin self-examination as a resource-conscious approach to detecting recurrence and management of fear of cancer recurrence in patients treated for melanoma. This publication presents the Melacare study protocol and evaluates the feasibility and acceptability of Melacare prior to a larger randomised controlled trial. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Feasibility and acceptability of Melacare were evaluated in an intervention-only feasibility study, in which patients attended two nurse-led intervention sessions coupled with an educational booklet. Participants completed patient-reported outcome (PRO) questionnaires at baseline and before each session. After the intervention, participants completed a study-specific feedback questionnaire. Feasibility was evaluated in terms of recruitment, adherence, and attendance. Self-reported outcomes from the study-specific questionnaire on intervention effects were also collected. Results of the feasibility study: Fourteen patients (nine stage IA, five stage IB melanoma) participated. Attendance and recruitment rates were 100%, all participants completed the baseline and PRO questionnaires, and 100% read at least half of the educational booklet. In terms of intervention effects, all patients reported improved knowledge of performing skin self-examination and coping with the fear of cancer recurrence. INTERPRETATION: Results indicate that the Melacare nurse-led intervention is highly feasible and acceptable for use with patients treated for early-stage melanoma. Prior to clinical trial commencement, minor refinements include changing the method of recruiting by telephone and offering.
AB - BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We developed the Melacare nurse-led intervention, which combines education in skin self-examination as a resource-conscious approach to detecting recurrence and management of fear of cancer recurrence in patients treated for melanoma. This publication presents the Melacare study protocol and evaluates the feasibility and acceptability of Melacare prior to a larger randomised controlled trial. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Feasibility and acceptability of Melacare were evaluated in an intervention-only feasibility study, in which patients attended two nurse-led intervention sessions coupled with an educational booklet. Participants completed patient-reported outcome (PRO) questionnaires at baseline and before each session. After the intervention, participants completed a study-specific feedback questionnaire. Feasibility was evaluated in terms of recruitment, adherence, and attendance. Self-reported outcomes from the study-specific questionnaire on intervention effects were also collected. Results of the feasibility study: Fourteen patients (nine stage IA, five stage IB melanoma) participated. Attendance and recruitment rates were 100%, all participants completed the baseline and PRO questionnaires, and 100% read at least half of the educational booklet. In terms of intervention effects, all patients reported improved knowledge of performing skin self-examination and coping with the fear of cancer recurrence. INTERPRETATION: Results indicate that the Melacare nurse-led intervention is highly feasible and acceptable for use with patients treated for early-stage melanoma. Prior to clinical trial commencement, minor refinements include changing the method of recruiting by telephone and offering.
U2 - 10.2340/1651-226X.2024.41037
DO - 10.2340/1651-226X.2024.41037
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 39582229
AN - SCOPUS:85210549199
VL - 63
SP - 909
EP - 914
JO - Acta Oncologica
JF - Acta Oncologica
SN - 1100-1704
ER -