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Visual images effectively promoted skin self-evaluations for patients

The use of visual images were effective in promoting accurate and frequent skin self-evaluation among patients, according to study results.

Canadian researchers conducted a systematic review in September 2011 of peer-reviewed research on skin self-evaluation (SSE) for skin cancer in PubMed-Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, Sociological Abstracts, Social Sciences Full Text, ERIC and ABI/INFORM databases to examine outcomes for studies that used images with their methodology. From the databases, 5,330 articles were uncovered.

The final review included 25 studies from the United States (n=12), Australia (n=7), United Kingdom (n=3), France (n=2) and Sweden (n=1). Study methods included randomized controlled trials (n=12), quasi-experimental (n=9) and observational designs (n=4). Sample sizes spanned 20 to 855 participants.

Reporting of study results was grouped by main outcomes of SSE knowledge and attitudes (n=5 studies), SSE frequency (n=8), and SSE accuracy and melanoma detection (n=16).

“Images positively affected knowledge and self-efficacy related to SSE,” the researchers reported.

SSE performance was motivated by the study images, which also increased SSE accuracy and melanoma detection.

Only English language studies were included, which limited the review, the researchers reported, along with the possibility that some studies were unintentionally overlooked.

“Evidence from this systematic review suggests an important role for visual images in patient education related to informed self-monitoring for skin lesions,” the researchers concluded. “Text descriptors alone were ineffective. Images were associated with increased accuracy, knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy related to SSE, and to a lesser extent, uptake and frequency of SSE.

“Visual images should be incorporated into clinical practice when educating patients about early detection of skin cancer.”

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.