Outcomes study of a course in breast-cancer screening

The Breast Cancer Screening Module is a professional training course within the Professional Education for Prevention and Early Detection (PEPED) program at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. An outcomes study was done to determine the module's ability to improve screening practices crucial to breast-cancer control.

The five-day course combines 17 hours of class work with 20 hours of hands-on clinical training. Subjects were followed for one year post-training. Six outcome areas were evaluated: 1) knowledge about breast-cancer prevention; 2) clinical skills; 3) changes in routine practice; 4) numbers of patients screened, referred, and diagnosed; 5) trainee satisfaction with the course; and 6) barriers to implementing screening in routine practice. The study population was 63 subjects (all nurse professionals).

Outcomes were positive in all six evaluation areas-significant gains in general and clinical knowledge tests (p < or = 0.05); a significant increase from 54.2% pre-training to 70.5% post-training in risk counseling (p < or = 0.05); a sustained increase in screening practices (4.3 times and 2.8 times greater at 6 and 12 months post-training, respectively); 72% rate of high course satisfaction; and barriers to improved screening practices, such as time limitations among 60.4% of subjects and 57.6% of their employers, were identified.

This unique training enhances breast-cancer prevention and screening practices and early detection.