Review of education programs
The Melanoma Network commissioned the Sydney Health Projects Group at the University of Sydney to assess the quality of and access to undergraduate and postgraduate courses and continuing professional education on melanoma. The study would be conducted in two stages.
Aims:
Stage 1: To compile data on existing professional education and training programs on melanoma in NSW and/or available to NSW-based health practitioners.
Stage 2: To identify potential indicators of the quality of and access to the programs and options described in Stage 1; identify existing standards and benchmarks that are relevant to professional education and training for melanoma; and recommend measures, standards and benchmarks that could be used in evaluating the programs and options from Stage 1.
Methods:
Stage 1: Criteria for the inclusion of education and training programs in this review include:
- Those directed at clinicians, who may be medical practitioners, nurses or allied health professionals.
- Focus on melanoma of the skin (mucosal melanoma and melanoma of the eye were not covered).
- Deal exclusively with melanoma; programs in which melanoma diagnosis and management is a major (but not the only) topic and broad programs that cover the management of melanoma, such as undergraduate and graduate medical programs.
- Those that are confined to graduate and undergraduate programs based in NSW, and continuing education programs within or outside NSW but accessible to NSW-based practitioners.
- Those courses that are currently being run (as of September 2008) or confirmed to be conducted in the future.
Education and training programs on melanoma detection, diagnosis and management were identified through systematic Internet searches. Information was also collected through direct contact with staff of the relevant institutions.
Stage 2
- Detailed review of the Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Melanoma in Australia and New Zealand to identify education requirements and implications for standards
- Search websites and professional publications to identify other models in which standards are prescribed for professional medical education, covering content areas other than melanoma.
- Prepare draft standards for the evaluation of professional melanoma education and training programs and arrange and undertake consultations with a small number of clinicians who have an interest in improving the quality of continuing education for the management of melanoma and revise accordingly.
Status:
Stage 1 is completed. PDF version of the report can be viewed by clicking here.
Stage 2 is completed. PDF version of the report can be viewed by clicking here.
