Graduate level medical students’ ability to detect and address incidental melanoma in a simulation study

Background Considering the high incidence of skin cancer in Switzerland (Vienneau 2017), detecting moles suspicious of skin cancer is an important competence for Swiss medical graduates. While screening for skin cancer is part of any dermatologists' routine, physicians of all other specialties should still be able to detect secondary, incidental lesions suspicious of cancer and refer patients to a specialist. Little is known about how well graduates are able to detect incidental findings and draw correct conclusions.This study measures the detection rate of incidental melanoma of Bernese medical students at graduate level during a formative clinical skills simulation exercise utilizing standardized patients. Methods In this observational evaluation study, a full semester of Swiss sixth year medical students (N~240) will undergo formative clinical skills assessment from March to May 2019. One of the cases will present a standardized patient with non-dermatological chief complaints typical for bowel obstruction. Furthermore, this patient will be showing a suspicious skin lesion indicating signs of a melanoma. This suspicious mole will be realized using a silicone-based 3D moulage, i.e. a professional temporary tattoo, true in colouring, shape, visual and tactile information, fixed onto the standardized patient's thorax so it can be discovered during the physical examination. Students are randomly assigned into groups of four, with one of the four taking the physician's role (N~60) and the three peers observing the performance for later feedback. The students performing the case will be evaluated with a checklist containing different levels of response on the suspicious lesion regarding history, examination and their conclusions (adapted from Zorn 2018). Results Results will be available at the conference and indica-te either the effectiveness of the dermatology educa-tion delivered and prove its effectiveness or disclose possible improvement in dermatology education in the medical master program in Bern. Conclusions Not yet available