Melanoma Clinical Trial
Perceptual Expertise Training for Triage of Moles
Summary
The aim of this study is to assess a novel educational mobile and online application which will use images of pigmented skin lesions with question prompts to train future medical providers to more accurately detect malignant lesions.
The hypothesis of this study is that this new educational tool will result in higher melanoma detection rates among future providers.
Full Description
Primary Objective: To design an online and mobile course in which participants will learn to triage pigmented lesions as benign or malignant. The course will use images and question prompts to train users in pattern recognition with the goal of increased diagnostic accuracy.
Secondary Objective: To assess the effectiveness of this course. Students will be asked to rank their confidence when answering questions at the end of each module and confidence over time will be tracked. Students will also be asked to complete a post-course survey which will include an externally validated, 10 question usability scale. Responses will be standardized and compared across participants.
The study will take place at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine over a 2 year time course. Initially, participants will assess the diameter of pigmented lesions with and without a ruler incorporated in the image of a pigmented lesion that contains at least one hair (Phase 1). Next, participants will be asked to complete an online/mobile course with the goal of learning to triage pigmented lesions as benign or malignant. (Phase 2) (Figure 1) These will be accessed on personal smart phones and/or computers. The course will consist of four modules of increasing difficulty. These modules will be completed in (4) 20 minute sessions over the course of 2 weeks. Each module will pair 4 images of benign lesion with 4 images of melanomas. Each sequential module will incorporate one new type of benign lesion as well as re-introduced images that were triaged incorrectly in previous modules.
At the end of each module, participants will be asked to rate their confidence in answering triaging lesions on a scale of 1-10. The change in confidence rating between Module 1 and 4 will be tracked. Students will also be asked to answer a post-test questionnaire designed to assess: i) the usability of this course ii) effectiveness of this course in helping students triage benign and malignant lesions. Usability will be assessed with the System Usability Scale. Effectiveness of the course will be assessed with questions tailored to assess the specific learning objectives.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria for Phase 1
Study participants must:
be over the age of 18
be currently a medical student , dermatology resident or member of the dermatology faculty at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
able to consent
Inclusion Criteria for Phase 2
Study participants must:
be over the age of 18
be currently enrolled in an MD or PA course at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
able to consent
have internet access
own and be able to use a smart phone
be willing to participate in two online surveys before and after each simulation
Exclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria for Phases 1 and 2
Participants will be excluded if:
Not over 18 years of age
Do not have internet access
Do not have smart phone access
Are not currently enrolled as MD or PA students
Check Your Eligibility
Let’s see if you might be eligible for this study.
What is your age and gender ?
There is 1 Location for this study
Chicago Illinois, 60611, United States
How clear is this clinincal trial information?

Please confirm you are a US based health care provider:
Yes, I am a health care Provider No, I am not a health care providerSign Up Now.
Take Control of Your Disease Journey.
Sign up now for expert patient guides, personalized treatment options, and cutting-edge insights that can help you push for the best care plan.