Project Options - The ABC Method

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Dermatology/Skin - Other; Health Behavior; Sunburn
• Interventions: Behavioral: Addressing Behavior Change (ABC)

• Registration Number: NCT03489356
• Lead Sponsor: Penn State University

Brief Summary

The present study explores the ability of dermatologists to influence patients' behavior using a novel and brief (3 minute) behavioral intervention in the context of naturally occurring patient interactions and shows promise for long term sustainability. The incidence of invasive skin cancers, cutaneous melanoma in particular, has nearly tripled in the U.S. between 1975 and 2004, making it the fastest rising incidence rate for all cancers in the United States. Dermatologists are in an ideal position to effect change in their patients. The present study will assess whether a brief intervention (The ABC-Addressing Behavior Change method) delivered to patients by dermatologists during a skin examination will increase the use of sun protection and reduce risk behaviors compared to patients who receive treatment as usual.

Detailed Description

Skin cancer is the most common malignancy in the U.S. and the incidence and mortality from skin cancer is on the rise. Individuals can decrease their risk of skin cancer by engaging in protective behaviors such as limiting intentional and unintentional UV exposure, and wearing broad-spectrum sunscreens and protective clothing. Despite knowing the risks and receiving dermatological care, many patients with and without a history of skin cancer frequently forget to use UV protection or fail to use it in an optimal manner to reduce their UV risk. To address these concerns, Mallett and colleagues developed a 3-minute brief ABC intervention - Addressing Behavior Change. The ABC intervention is designed to be delivered by dermatologists in the context of a routine office visit involving a skin examination. Previous work by Mallett and colleagues showed dermatologists were highly motivated to deliver the intervention, quickly learned the requisite skills, delivered the intervention with fidelity, and showed minimal decay in knowledge, motivation, and skills over a 6-month period. This study builds on a previous study by conducting an examination of the efficacy of the ABC intervention on patients' motivations and behaviors utilizing a prospective longitudinal design.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2016-04-25
• Primary Completion: 2017-11-21
• Study Completion: 2017-11-21
• Study First Submitted: 2018-03-16
• Study First Submitted QC: 2018-04-03
• Study First Posted: 2018-04-05
• Status Verified: 2019-12
• Last Update Submitted: 2019-12-02
• Last Update Posted: 2019-12-04

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 186

Inclusion Criteria

• scheduled for a skin exam with participating dermatologists

Exclusion Criteria

• psoriasis

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Intervention	Addressing Behavior Change (ABC)	Addressing Behavior Change (ABC) intervention delivery method

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Patient Behavior Changes	1 month and 3 months follow-up	Examine changes in patients' protective behaviors through surveys; Patients asked for the percent of time they use sunscreen on face, use sunscreen on body, reapply sunscreen often, and cover their skin; Response options range from (0) 0% to (5) 100%

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Sunburns	Baseline, 1 month follow-up, 3 month follow-up	Number of sunburns reported by patients

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center; 🇺🇸 Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States