Skin Cancer in Nursing Essay Example
Skin Cancer in Nursing Essay Example

Skin Cancer in Nursing Essay Example

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  • Pages: 15 (4099 words)
  • Published: December 15, 2021
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& O'Keefe's "Improving Skin Cancer Knowledge Among Nurse Practitioners" is the focus of my critique. It can be accessed on the Journal of the Dermatology Nurses' Association website. The scholarly project aims to enhance primary care nurse practitioners' comprehension of skin cancer and their ability to identify lesions, thereby enabling them to educate patients effectively in managing skin cancer and reducing its prevalence in the United States.

The project comprises sections such as an abstract, literature review, purpose, theoretical framework, study methodology, results and analysis, and conclusions. Additionally, a visual representation is included by the researcher illustrating how they addressed the five typical areas found in a research report.

Background

O'Keefe and colleagues conducted a study in 2016 to improve skin cancer knowledge among nurse practitioners. Skin cancer is a prevalent public health problem in

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the United States, as emphasized by the surgeon general, and it ranks high among the most frequently diagnosed cancers in the country.

It is important to educate nurse practitioners about skin cancer as it is a highly preventable form of cancer. This knowledge can help decrease the number of cases in the country.

A comprehensive understanding of skin cancer:

The authors extensively analyze skin cancer in their review, aiming to provide readers with a thorough comprehension of this disease. They begin by discussing that managing skin cancer in the United States costs $8.1 billion annually. They also emphasize that melanoma, which is the deadliest type of skin cancer, claims around 9,000 lives each year and primarily affects young adults and adolescents. Skin cancer consists of two types - nonmelanoma and melanoma - with exposure to varying levels of UV radiation being its primary cause.

The author

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propose that the prevention of skin cancer can be achieved by managing sun exposure, detecting it early, and practicing skin protection. They also highlight the increasing rates of skin cancer in the United States due to a lack of knowledge and ignorance. Studies show that individuals who have had skin cancer in the past often fail to use sunscreen, possibly because they don't understand its importance. Therefore, it is crucial to educate nurse practitioners about preventive measures in order to reduce new cases of skin cancer. Healthcare providers are trusted sources for health information, so it is important to educate them on promoting regular skin examinations and encouraging sunscreen use among individuals with a history of skin cancer. Ultimately, this education can help lower mortality rates.

The text goes on to discuss the research methodology used in this study. It states that the research design employed was nonexperimental and received approval from Creighton University Institutional Review Board as an exempt study.

Every volunteer involved in the study willingly participated. The sample for the study was obtained from the 350 current members of Nebraska Nurse Practitioners (NNP). These members were contacted via email and reminded weekly for four weeks. The study was conducted online and included an introduction letter with links to a 16-item pretest, a 16-item posttest, a 15-minute educational program, and a five-item program evaluation.

The questionnaires for the pretests and posttests were approved by experts in oncology and primary care. The program evaluation used a Likert scale of 1-5 to measure effectiveness (1=strongly disagree, 5=strongly agree). The questions aimed to assess participants' knowledge and attitude towards sharing skin cancer knowledge with their patients, as well as

their intention to participate in future skin cancer screening efforts.

Data Analysis

Out of the 354 current members contacted, only 14 respondents took part in the program. However, only 10 completed the entire program. The corrected data was analyzed based on scores from the pretests and posttests.

Only participants who completed the entire program were included in the analysis. All participants demonstrated improvement in their posttest scores, as shown by the differences between pretest and posttest scores that were examined using a paired t test. On average, subjects showed improvement in their scores. The collected data was visually represented through graphs and tables.

Researcher’s conclusion:

The harmful effects of skin cancer resulting from excessive exposure to UV radiation can be likened to those of lung cancer caused by tobacco use. Previously, the negative consequences of tobacco use were overlooked until recently when they gained public attention. This increased awareness has led to a decrease in tobacco use and consequently a decline in cases of lung cancer caused by tobacco consumption.

The text proposes utilizing a similar example to decrease the risk of skin cancer caused by sun exposure. The approach involves educating practitioners, who can then educate their patients about preventive measures. Some behaviors for protecting the skin include using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, avoiding peak UV radiation times, and staying away from tanning beds. Improving the knowledge and skills of nurse practitioners (NPs) in identifying lesions can help reduce skin cancer occurrence. However, to obtain more widely applicable results, it is recommended that the project be replicated over a longer period and involve NPs from other states as well. Additionally, conducting follow-up tests after 3 and 6 months could provide

additional data on knowledge retention and sustainability of practice change.

Based on your analysis of the five areas, evaluate if the evidence presented in the research report supports the researcher’s conclusion. According to the researchers' findings, educating the public about preventive strategies for skin cancer is deemed as the most effective approach in reducing its prevalence in the United States. The study suggests that this objective can be accomplished by involving Nursing Practitioners since they are widely trusted as a source of health information by many individuals. By enhancing their knowledge on skin cancer and lesion identification skills, Nursing Practitioners can play a crucial role in detecting and managing the disease at an early stage. Additionally, once informed about preventive measures for skin cancer, these practitioners will subsequently educate their patients, thereby contributing to controlling its spread.

Thus, the research evidence supports the researchers' conclusion. Ethical concerns are a constant presence in research. In this study, ethical issues emerged regarding whether participants received help when answering questions without direct supervision from researchers. Moreover, it is uncertain if there could be a conflict of interest for the researchers during project design. It is difficult to determine if their motivations went beyond the main objective of the paper, such as pursuing political favors or fame.

The study utilized qualitative research method and nonexperimental research design. A total of 354 members of the Nebraska Nurse Practitioners (NNP) were contacted, but only 14 responded and 10 completed the entire project for analysis. The research method employed was not ideal as it took a significant amount of time and there was uncertainty about whether respondents received assistance with completing the questions. Ideally, interviews

and face-to-face administration of information would have been used to ensure answers were provided by the practitioners themselves while also saving time (6 weeks instead of 9 weeks).

Nursing Care Problem: Skin Cancer in Nursing

Skin cancer is a condition wherein abnormal cells develop on the skin surface and have the potential to spread to other parts of the body.

The three types of skin cancer are basal-cell skin cancer (BCC), squamous-cell skin cancer (SCC), and melanoma. Melanoma, which causes over 9,000 deaths in the United States, is the most fatal. Studies suggest that sun exposure is a major cause of skin cancer, making prevention possible. The collaboration between Nursing Practitioners (NP) and patients is crucial in preventing the spread of this disease. It is widely acknowledged that individuals rely on their healthcare providers, emphasizing the significance of NPs in raising public awareness about skin cancer.

; Rodrigue, J, 1997). According to (Christos, Oliveria, Masse, Mccormick, ; Halpern, 2004), there is a growing risk of skin cancer in the United States. 80% of the nurses surveyed in the study acknowledged the serious threat of cancer and the high number of people at risk. Numerous studies have also demonstrated that early detection of the disease is crucial in effectively managing and preventing its spread.

Having knowledge about disease mitigation procedures and possessing detective skills can greatly reduce the number of cases. Educating patients on preventive strategies for addressing the ailment is possible when individuals have this knowledge. Research has indicated that many people affected by the disease lack awareness about necessary preventative measures to protect themselves. However, once parents and others are informed about the connection between sun exposure and

skin cancer, there is a significant decrease in skin cancer cases.

According to Maguire-Eisen ; Frost (1994), inadequate education on skin cancer among the public necessitates regular assessment of patients by nurse practitioners (NP) for this disease. However, there are barriers that hinder awareness and prevention. These obstacles include a lack of financial support from government authorities due to the perception that skin cancer is not as significant a threat as HIV/AIDS. The most commonly cited barrier to conducting examinations for melanoma is insufficient time. Other hindrances to preventing and detecting skin cancer include the absence of national guidelines, low priority among doctors, and the belief that patients should shoulder full responsibility for prevention (Oliveria et al., 2001).

In 1997, a descriptive survey was conducted to assess nurses' perceptions and attitudes towards the detection and prevention of skin cancer. The objective was to identify barriers that prevent nurses from raising awareness about this disease. The survey included 457 nurses from the Texas State Board of Nurse Examiners who were interviewed and given questionnaires for data collection purposes. Analysis of the gathered information revealed that 89% of nurses considered skin cancer to be a significant health concern, with approximately 97% believing that numerous individuals were susceptible to developing it.

Around 89% of respondents indicated that patients would greatly benefit from the detection and prevention of skin cancer, while 94% believed that nurses would also greatly benefit from these skills. Furthermore, 84% agreed that teaching patients about skin cancer prevention falls under the nurse's responsibility. Barriers to skin cancer prevention were identified as lack of national guidelines, low priority among doctors, and some nurses believing patients should take full responsibility

for prevention. These findings highlight obstacles in both preventing and detecting skin cancer but emphasize the significant role played by nurses in this regard.

The research project mentioned above highlights the significance of nurses' roles in disease control, specifically for skin cancer. It stresses that nurses should not rely solely on patients to identify and prevent diseases, but rather actively encourage patients to undergo screening and conduct regular skin examinations. Entrekin and McMillan's (1993) research focuses on assessing the needs of nurses in early detection and prevention of cancer. The study utilized a survey instrument with six parallel forms to evaluate nurses' knowledge, beliefs, and practices related to preventing and detecting various types of cancers including colorectal, prostate, skin, breast, lung, and gynecological cancers.

The data was obtained from 2,348 nurses in order to assess their awareness of preventive and early detection methods for different types of cancer. The findings indicated that nurses had good understanding of preventive measures for prostate and breast cancer, but lacked knowledge about skin and lung cancer. This reveals a lack of attention towards skin cancers among nurses. However, despite this deficiency, 66% of the nurses believed it was their responsibility to prevent cancer. These results suggest that nurses should be provided with the necessary tools, knowledge, and time to actively participate in efforts for cancer prevention and detection. Moreover, employers should expect cancer prevention and early detection to be essential aspects of a nurse's role. This study aligns with my own research topic as it highlights the need for nurses to enhance their knowledge, change their attitudes towards skin cancer, and improve their skills in detecting the disease (Geller et al.,

2004).The article titled "Overcoming The Obstacles to Skin Cancer Examinations and Prevention Counseling for High-Risk Patients: Results of a National Survey of Primary Care Physicians" published in The Journal Of The American Board Of Family Medicine (Vol. 17, No. 6, pp. 416-423) highlights the significant role primary care physicians play in addressing skin cancer through conducting examinations and providing prevention counseling (Geller et al., 2004). It is worth noting that approximately 40% of doctor visits in the United States are made to family health practitioners or internists, who possess greater potential for identifying thinner melanomas compared to self-examinations. This research involved primary care physicians from all states, including internists, general practitioners, and family medicine physicians selected from the American Medical Association’s Medical Marketing Services’ database. The study primarily focused on outcome variables related to early detection and prevention measures for both average-risk patients and those with risk factors.

The text states that physicians included various actions in their practice, such as performing full-body skin examinations, recommending regular self-examinations to patients, and suggesting sun protection methods. The distribution of survey materials resulted in a response indicating that 60% of physicians regularly conducted full-body examinations on high-risk patients. The main obstacle to physician examination of high-risk patients was lack of time. Physicians were more likely to examine patients who requested a skin examination compared to those who did not request one. The researchers concluded that there is a need for increased education for healthcare professionals and the public regarding skin cancer examination. Additionally, physicians should be provided with the necessary resources for skin cancer examinations and prevention, and they should make it a routine practice to counsel and

motivate high-risk patients to undergo full-body examinations and counseling.

The research aligns with my topic of study, showing that nurses play a crucial role in overcoming barriers to skin cancer examination and prevention. The study titled "Improving Skin Cancer Knowledge Among Nurse Practitioners" by Hartnett and O'Keefe (2016) focuses on increasing the awareness and ability to identify lesions related to skin cancer among primary care nurse practitioners.

The researchers conducted a descriptive survey to assess the knowledge of skin cancer among current members of the Nebraska Nurse Practitioners Association. Afterward, a 15-minute online educational program was provided followed by a posttest. Data collection and pairwise comparison were carried out using SurveyMonkey.com.

Out of the 350 emailed respondents, only 10 completed the entire 9-week program on skin cancer and lesion identification. A reminder was sent after 4 weeks. It was clear that all 10 participants showed improvement from pretest to posttest. This indicates that if nurses were given a basic education program on skin cancer and lesion identification, they could improve their knowledge and potentially save lives by conducting better health assessments and educating patients on protective measures against the disease. This research is important for my study as it will help further support the notion that nurses should undergo training on skin cancer to enhance their detection skills, knowledge, and counseling abilities for patients.

  • Lescano, C. & Rodrigue, J. (1997). Skin Cancer Prevention Behaviors Among Parents of Young Children. Children's Health Care, 26(2), 107-114.

The researchers aimed to determine if parents with young children took preventive measures against skin cancer. This was prompted by the fact that nearly 80% of

skin cancers in the United States occur due to harmful ray exposure during early childhood.

The study examined the relationship between relevant variables and parents' behaviors on skin cancer prevention for their young children (ages 3 to 8 years) (n = 88). The analysis of collected data revealed that parents' knowledge of skin cancer prevention was influenced by demographic factors such as child age and socioeconomic status. These findings emphasize the importance of raising awareness and disseminating information about sun exposure, skin cancer, and effective preventive behaviors that parents should adopt to protect their children from skin cancer. Nurses can play a significant role in educating parents on these preventive measures. This research is relevant to my study topic as it demonstrates that increased education on skin cancer prevention leads to greater implementation of preventive measures, particularly among parents. Hence, nurses have a responsibility to educate parents on how to safeguard their children from skin cancer (Maguire-Eisen & Frost, 1994).

The article "Knowledge of malignant melanoma and how it relates to clinical practice among nurse practitioners and dermatology and oncology nurses" in Cancer Nursing (17(6), 457-463) discusses the increasing health issue of Cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) in the United States. The study focuses on evaluating the nurses' assessment frequency of skin cancer in patients, their understanding and knowledge of CMM, risk factors, preventive measures, and barriers to skin cancer assessment. The sample for this study included dermatology nurses (DN), nurse practitioners (NP), and oncology nurses (ON), totaling 178 participants. The findings revealed that the frequency of skin examination performed by the nurses was low; however, a majority of them acknowledged skin cancer assessment as part of

their responsibilities as healthcare practitioners.

Despite receiving the highest level of skin cancer education, NP showed low overall knowledge. All three groups had moderate ability to recognize melanoma, but had lower ability to recognize benign and premalignant lesions. Dermatology nurses reported a higher frequency of skin cancer examination and teaching. The main barriers to frequent skin cancer assessment were insufficient time and knowledge. The researchers concluded that knowledge and experience of CMM were directly linked to the frequency of teaching about skin cancer and its assessment.

However, there is a need for more education among nurses regarding skin cancer prevention and detection. This research is important to my study because it demonstrates that nurses, who possess the knowledge and skills to detect skin cancer, should regularly examine their patients to help prevent it. (McCormick, Masse, Cummings, & Burke, 1999) conducted a study that evaluated a 1-week didactic and clinical training module on skin cancer prevention for nurses. The researchers assessed the immediate and 3-month effects of the module on nurse participants, as well as the secondary effects on their skin cancer practices. The study utilized a quasi-experimental design with 32 intervention subjects and 87 comparison subjects.

Instruments created for this research aimed to evaluate constructs such as self-efficacy, priority of skin cancer, knowledge, and organizational level. The results indicated that the module enhanced overall knowledge about skin cancer and the ability to screen for it, with this improvement remaining steady over time. Furthermore, the module increased individuals' self-efficacy in terms of screening and education about skin cancer. However, it had no impact on organizational-level constructs.

According to the study conducted by Oliveria et al. (2001), it was concluded that

nurses need further education on skin cancer. However, the implementation of this education in healthcare practice was hindered by system-level barriers. The study suggests that nurses who possess knowledge about skin cancer should educate their colleagues and establish appropriate mechanisms within their organization to promote patient screening. This research is relevant to my study topic as it demonstrates that when nurses are adequately educated about skin cancer, they become more vigilant, regularly perform skin examinations, and provide advice to patients on protective measures against the disease.

  • (Oliveria et al., 2001). Using nursing practitioners in skin cancer screening American Journal Of Preventive Medicine, 21(3), 214-217.

Early detection of precancerous lesions through skin cancer screening can contribute to reducing melanoma mortality rates in the country.

The purpose of the study was to assess the ability of trained nurse practitioners to identify suspicious lesions in a clinical setting. Five nurse practitioners with no prior experience in evaluating skin lesions were chosen for the study. The nurse practitioners underwent a training program on skin detection techniques, which included a clinical apprenticeship, workshop, and didactic lectures. The results indicated that nurse practitioners can be trained to accurately identify suspicious lesions, which would aid in the detection and treatment of skin cancer. This research is relevant to my study as it demonstrates the importance of nurses' ability to identify skin lesions in early detection of skin cancer, ultimately helping to control its progression. In another study (Robinson et al., 2004), healthcare providers' promotion of sun protection and its impact on clients' skin cancer prevention outcomes were examined. The study involved 1,469 randomly selected farmers and

soccer participants from southeast and coastal Georgia. Secondary analysis was conducted using two surveys to gather the necessary data for analysis.After examining the data, respondents who reported receiving counseling from a healthcare professional (HCP) on protecting their skin from the sun displayed a greater inclination to take preventive measures against skin cancer. These measures included wearing sunscreen, undergoing clinical skin examinations, recognizing unhealthy changes in their skin, possessing confidence in their ability to perform self-examinations, and possessing knowledge about preventing skin cancer. Consequently, the authors deduced that counseling patients on skin cancer can have a positive impact on various aspects related to prevention, such as sunscreen usage, self-examination efficacy, and knowledge. However, further research is necessary to determine the actual influence of HCPs' counseling on skin cancer and sun protection on client outcomes.

The research conducted by Tessaro, Herman, Shaw, ; Giese (1996) on 101 nurse practitioners (NPs) from North Carolina working in the 87 county public health departments revealed that when HCP, including nurses, provided counseling to their patients, they observed an increase in the use of protective measures to prevent skin cancer. This highlights the significant role that nurses have in the fight against skin cancer.

  • (Tessaro, Herman, Shaw, ; Giese, 1996). Cancer prevention, knowledge, attitudes and clinical practices of nursing practitioners in local public health departments of North Carolina.Cancer Nursing, 19(4), 269-274.

The purpose of the study was to assess the attitudes, knowledge, and clinical practice of nurse practitioners (NPs) in North Carolina regarding early detection and cancer prevention. The majority of nurses recommended cervical, breast, and prostate cancer screenings to their patients but showed a low

inclination towards counseling or educating them about other types of cancer such as lung and skin cancer. NPs demonstrated excellent clinical skills in conducting cancer screenings but lagged behind in providing education on skin cancer. Nevertheless, most NPs recognized their responsibility in aiding cancer detection and prevention.

The research concludes that it is important for nursing practitioners to be aware of the existence of skin cancer as a health problem in the USA. They should encourage their patients to undergo skin examinations in addition to other cancer tests. Nurses should receive more training on skin cancer. This research aligns with my own topic of study, highlighting the need for a change in attitude and improved knowledge among nursing practitioners to effectively control skin cancer. Various studies provide sufficient evidence to recommend changes in nursing practices related to managing skin cancer. In a study by Hartnett ; O’Keefe (2016), the evidence collected supports recommendations for increased training of nurses to enhance their skills in identifying the disease and ensuring early detection, ultimately improving public education and disease management. Similarly, Christos, Oliveria, Masse, Mccormick, ; Halpern (2004) found adequate evidence to suggest changes in attitude, perception, and overcoming barriers in detecting and preventing skin cancer.

Additionally, the study will contribute to altering the belief that it is solely the responsibility of patients to detect and prevent skin cancer. It will highlight the significant role that nurses have in controlling skin cancer. The evidence collected by researchers in (Lescano, C. ; Rodrigue, J. 1997) is sufficient to bring about a change in the preventive behavior of parents with young children towards skin cancer.

The research indicated the need for significant effort

in raising awareness and spreading information about sun exposure and skin cancer. It is crucial to educate parents thoroughly on the effectiveness of preventive measures that should be taken to protect children from developing skin cancer. In a study conducted by Entrekin, N. ; McMillan, S. in 1993, the evidence they gathered is sufficient to support a recommendation on why physicians face barriers when it comes to conducting skin examinations and providing counseling. The study also offers recommendations for overcoming these barriers, with the aim of encouraging more physicians to urge high-risk patients to undergo comprehensive skin examinations.

The evidence collected by researchers in (Robinson et al., 2004) indicates that counseling by healthcare professionals (HCPs) is effective in skin cancer prevention. The study found that individuals who received counseling from HCPs on protective measures against skin cancer actively used sunscreen. The evidence gathered in (Oliveria et al., 2001) suggests that nurses should not only be educated on detecting and preventing skin cancer but also provided with necessary tools for the task. Similarly, the evidence presented in (Geller et al., 2004) supports implementing changes in nurse education regarding knowledge of skin cancer, barriers to assessment, and teaching about the disease. The researchers recommend addressing inadequate knowledge barriers through increased education for nurses, which would enhance their ability to teach and encourage patients to undergo examinations. Lastly, the evidence from (Maguire-Eisen ; Frost, 1994) demonstrates that training nursing practitioners in skin lesion detection and examination techniques significantly improves their ability to detect cancerous lesions and assess the skin.

According to McCormick, Masse, Cummings, ; Burke (1999), the researchers have gathered sufficient evidence to justify a change in nursing practice.

They have concluded that training nurses on skin cancer enables them.

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