Assessing Skin Cancer Prevention and Detection Educational Needs: An Andragogical Approach

• Skin cancer is increasing at epidemic rates.
• Skin cancer is 98% curable if diagnosed early with survival rates decreasing to 15% if detected later in disease.
• All health care providers, including nurse practitioners (NPs), are expected to evaluate for skin cancer at regular scheduled appointments.
• Health care providers request additional information on current skin cancer prevention and detection recommendations.
• The Roebuck SCAN Survey tool was found to be helpful in determining the skin cancer prevention and detection learning needs and educational preferences of NPs.

Skin cancer is a significant public health challenge with an incidence reaching epidemic proportions. Many health care providers, including nurse practitioners, have expressed a concern that they are not optimally prepared with the current knowledge related to skin cancer prevention and early detection. The Roebuck SCAN (Skin Cancer Assessment of Need) tool was developed to assess the current learning needs and educational preferences of NPs related to skin cancer prevention and detection. The survey tool utilizes the theoretical frameworks of the novice to expert (Patricia Benner) and andragogy (Malcolm Knowles) principles.