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Published on: September 7, 2013
Sun Protection Outreach Teaching by Students (SPOTS)-Evaluating the Efficacy of Skin Cancer Prevention Education for
Sofia B Chaudhry1, Eric S Armbrecht2, Mitchell Gibbons3
1Department of Dermatology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.
Background:
The Sun Protection Outreach Teaching by Students (SPOTS) program addresses an unmet need by training medical students to teach adolescents about skin cancer prevention and early detection.
Objective:
To measure (1) changes in adolescents' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding sun protection and (2) the impact on medical students' confidence in skin cancer preventive counseling.
Methods:
Pre-SPOTS and 1-month post-SPOTS program surveys were completed by adolescent participants and medical student instructors.
Results:
Amongst adolescent students, analysis of 1,142 pre-program surveys and 618 post-program surveys revealed statistically significant improvements in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Among the favorable results, 26%, 41%, and 20% improvements over baseline were observed in SPF knowledge, preference for natural untanned skin, and intent to wear sunscreen, respectively (p < .001). One-third of adolescents reported having tried to increase sunscreen use. Amongst medical students, analysis of 78 pre-teaching and 74 post-teaching surveys revealed an increase in feeling "very confident" in counseling patients, from 23% pre-teaching to 82% post-teaching (p < .001).
Conclusion:
SPOTS demonstrated a dual benefit to adolescents and medical students. The program is available for dermatologists to implement in their communities.
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