Computer-Based Continuing Education for Doctors in Examination and Counseling of Patients on Skin Cancer or Weight Control

OBJECTIVES: Primary * Compare the efficacy of a continuing education course designed to improve primary care physician performance in examination and counseling of patients about skin cancer vs a continuing education course designed to improve physician assessment of weight management. * Evaluate physician performance of skin examination during routine patient visits at 12 months after completion of the skin cancer continuing education course. * Evaluate physician counseling around skin cancer issues. Secondary * Evaluate the efficacy of the skin cancer continuing education course in improving physician skin cancer triage skills and in changing physician attitudes and knowledge regarding skin cancer issues. * Assess improvements in physician assessment of weight, diet, and physical activity. OUTLINE: This is a randomized, multicenter study. Physicians are stratified according to participating center. Physicians are randomized to 1 of 2 intervention arms. * Arm I (skin cancer continuing education course): Physicians complete a 1-hour continuing education course on skin cancer. The course is available to the physician as a reference for up to 12 months. Physicians complete an online test at baseline, immediately after the course is completed, and at 1 month and 12 months after course completion to assess their knowledge, attitudes, skill, and practices towards skin examination and skin cancer counseling. Patients are interviewed by telephone within 1 week after a routine office visit with their physician to assess the physician's skin assessment and skin cancer counseling practices. The interviews are conducted prior to and at 1 month and 12 months after the physician completes the continuing education course. * Arm II (weight control continuing education course): Physicians complete a 1-hour continuing education course on weight, dietary, and physical activity assessment and counseling. The course is available to the physician as a reference for up to 12 months. Physicians complete an online test at baseline, immediately after the course is completed, and at 1 month and 12 months after course completion to assess their knowledge, attitudes, skill, and practices towards weight, dietary, and physical activity assessment and counseling. Patients are interviewed by telephone within 1 week after a routine office visit with their physician to assess the physician's weight, dietary, and physical activity assessment and counseling practices. The interviews are conducted prior to and at 1 month and 12 months after the physician completes the continuing education course. PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 50 physicians and 4,500 patients will be accrued for this study.