A Delphi-Style Evaluation of a Skin Assessment Simulation Using Clinical Vignettes and a Breast Health Training Tool

Breast and skin assessment are both required clinical skills across health professional training programs. The breast is an ideal "canvas" for the development of a simulation exercise focused on the identification and diagnosis of skin conditions that could present anywhere on the body alongside unique conditions specific to the breast and nipple-areolar complex. A skin assessment simulation on a breast model has not been described.

Investigators developed 20 clinical vignettes for breast and skin conditions (ie, features) depicted on a set of 10 single silicone breast models in 4 skin tones. A modified Delphi approach was used to evaluate the appropriateness of the clinical vignettes and realism of features. A convenience sample of 136 licensed physicians was recruited online. In round 1, participants rated the realism of features and suggested descriptors for each feature. In round 2, participants rated their agreement with descriptors from round 1, selected a diagnosis based on clinical vignettes, and assessed the utility of the Breast Health Training Tool for health professionals.

In round 1, participants (n = 38) agreed (5.1/6) that the features were realistic. In round 2, participants (n = 24) agreed (4.6/6) with the descriptors. Most (>50%) participants agreed on a diagnosis for each feature. Participants (n = 27) agreed (5.3/6) that this tool is useful for health professional education.

This is the first evaluation of a simulation tool for teaching breast examination and identification of skin conditions on the nipple-areolar complex and breast tissue in multiple skin tones, simultaneously filling the gap in women's breast, lactation, and skin health education.