Australian general practitioners' attitudes and knowledge of sentinel lymph node biopsy in melanoma management

Caroline G. Watts; Andrea L. Smith; Sam Robinson; Chiao Han (Sharon) Chang; Chris Goumas; Helen Schmid; John W. Kelly; Angela M. Hong; Richard A Scolyer; Georgina V. Long; Andrew J. Spillane; Michael Henderson; David E. Gyorki; Victoria J. Mar; Rachael L. Morton; Robyn PM Saw; Alex H. Varey; Graham J. Mann; John F. Thompson; Anne E. Cust

doi:10.31128/AJGP-10-19-5138

Australian general practitioners' attitudes and knowledge of sentinel lymph node biopsy in melanoma management

Caroline G. Watts, Andrea L. Smith, Sam Robinson, Chiao Han (Sharon) Chang, Chris Goumas, Helen Schmid, John W. Kelly, Angela M. Hong, Richard A Scolyer, Georgina V. Long, Andrew J. Spillane, Michael Henderson, David E. Gyorki, Victoria J. Mar, Rachael L. Morton, Robyn PM Saw, Alex H. Varey, Graham J. Mann, John F. Thompson, Anne E. Cust

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In Australia, the uptake of the sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) appears low despite clinical practice guideline recommendations. The aim of this study was to describe the knowledge and attitudes of general practitioners (GPs) to SLNB. METHOD: GPs were recruited at an annual conference and a skin cancer skills workshop, and using GP professional communications. A mixed methods approach comprised a cross-sectional questionnaire and, for a subset of participants, semi-structured interviews. RESULTS: Overall, 231 GPs completed the questionnaire, of whom 23 were interviewed. One-third (32%) described themselves as quite or very familiar with the guidelines, and two-thirds (68%) thought that SLNB had an important role in the management of patients with melanoma. Of GPs who would discuss SLNB with eligible patients, <40% correctly identified that SLNB is recommended for patients with an invasive melanoma >1 mm thick. DISCUSSION: GPs were generally supportive of SLNB. Familiarity with the guidelines was low, particularly regarding which patients should be considered for SLNB.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	355-362
Number of pages	8
Journal	Australian Journal of General Practice
Volume	49
Issue number	6
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.31128/AJGP-10-19-5138
Publication status	Published - 1 Jun 2020
Externally published	Yes

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.31128/AJGP-10-19-5138

Cite this

Watts, C. G., Smith, A. L., Robinson, S., Chang, C. H., Goumas, C., Schmid, H., Kelly, J. W., Hong, A. M., A Scolyer, R., Long, G. V., Spillane, A. J., Henderson, M., Gyorki, D. E., Mar, V. J., Morton, R. L., Saw, R. PM., Varey, A. H., Mann, G. J., Thompson, J. F., & Cust, A. E. (2020). Australian general practitioners' attitudes and knowledge of sentinel lymph node biopsy in melanoma management. Australian Journal of General Practice, 49(6), 355-362. https://doi.org/10.31128/AJGP-10-19-5138

@article{6665ec86b59b4104ad00a046f714652a,

title = "Australian general practitioners' attitudes and knowledge of sentinel lymph node biopsy in melanoma management",

abstract = "BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In Australia, the uptake of the sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) appears low despite clinical practice guideline recommendations. The aim of this study was to describe the knowledge and attitudes of general practitioners (GPs) to SLNB. METHOD: GPs were recruited at an annual conference and a skin cancer skills workshop, and using GP professional communications. A mixed methods approach comprised a cross-sectional questionnaire and, for a subset of participants, semi-structured interviews. RESULTS: Overall, 231 GPs completed the questionnaire, of whom 23 were interviewed. One-third (32%) described themselves as quite or very familiar with the guidelines, and two-thirds (68%) thought that SLNB had an important role in the management of patients with melanoma. Of GPs who would discuss SLNB with eligible patients, <40% correctly identified that SLNB is recommended for patients with an invasive melanoma >1 mm thick. DISCUSSION: GPs were generally supportive of SLNB. Familiarity with the guidelines was low, particularly regarding which patients should be considered for SLNB.",

author = "Watts, {Caroline G.} and Smith, {Andrea L.} and Sam Robinson and Chang, {Chiao Han (Sharon)} and Chris Goumas and Helen Schmid and Kelly, {John W.} and Hong, {Angela M.} and {A Scolyer}, Richard and Long, {Georgina V.} and Spillane, {Andrew J.} and Michael Henderson and Gyorki, {David E.} and Mar, {Victoria J.} and Morton, {Rachael L.} and Saw, {Robyn PM} and Varey, {Alex H.} and Mann, {Graham J.} and Thompson, {John F.} and Cust, {Anne E.}",

year = "2020",

month = jun,

day = "1",

doi = "10.31128/AJGP-10-19-5138",

language = "English",

volume = "49",

pages = "355--362",

journal = "Australian Journal of General Practice",

issn = "2208-794X",

publisher = "The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners",

number = "6",

}

Watts, CG, Smith, AL, Robinson, S, Chang, CH, Goumas, C, Schmid, H, Kelly, JW, Hong, AM, A Scolyer, R, Long, GV, Spillane, AJ, Henderson, M, Gyorki, DE, Mar, VJ, Morton, RL, Saw, RPM, Varey, AH, Mann, GJ, Thompson, JF & Cust, AE 2020, 'Australian general practitioners' attitudes and knowledge of sentinel lymph node biopsy in melanoma management', Australian Journal of General Practice, vol. 49, no. 6, pp. 355-362. https://doi.org/10.31128/AJGP-10-19-5138

TY - JOUR

T1 - Australian general practitioners' attitudes and knowledge of sentinel lymph node biopsy in melanoma management

AU - Watts, Caroline G.

AU - Smith, Andrea L.

AU - Robinson, Sam

AU - Chang, Chiao Han (Sharon)

AU - Goumas, Chris

AU - Schmid, Helen

AU - Kelly, John W.

AU - Hong, Angela M.

AU - A Scolyer, Richard

AU - Long, Georgina V.

AU - Spillane, Andrew J.

AU - Henderson, Michael

AU - Gyorki, David E.

AU - Mar, Victoria J.

AU - Morton, Rachael L.

AU - Saw, Robyn PM

AU - Varey, Alex H.

AU - Mann, Graham J.

AU - Thompson, John F.

AU - Cust, Anne E.

PY - 2020/6/1

Y1 - 2020/6/1

N2 - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In Australia, the uptake of the sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) appears low despite clinical practice guideline recommendations. The aim of this study was to describe the knowledge and attitudes of general practitioners (GPs) to SLNB. METHOD: GPs were recruited at an annual conference and a skin cancer skills workshop, and using GP professional communications. A mixed methods approach comprised a cross-sectional questionnaire and, for a subset of participants, semi-structured interviews. RESULTS: Overall, 231 GPs completed the questionnaire, of whom 23 were interviewed. One-third (32%) described themselves as quite or very familiar with the guidelines, and two-thirds (68%) thought that SLNB had an important role in the management of patients with melanoma. Of GPs who would discuss SLNB with eligible patients, <40% correctly identified that SLNB is recommended for patients with an invasive melanoma >1 mm thick. DISCUSSION: GPs were generally supportive of SLNB. Familiarity with the guidelines was low, particularly regarding which patients should be considered for SLNB.

AB - BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In Australia, the uptake of the sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) appears low despite clinical practice guideline recommendations. The aim of this study was to describe the knowledge and attitudes of general practitioners (GPs) to SLNB. METHOD: GPs were recruited at an annual conference and a skin cancer skills workshop, and using GP professional communications. A mixed methods approach comprised a cross-sectional questionnaire and, for a subset of participants, semi-structured interviews. RESULTS: Overall, 231 GPs completed the questionnaire, of whom 23 were interviewed. One-third (32%) described themselves as quite or very familiar with the guidelines, and two-thirds (68%) thought that SLNB had an important role in the management of patients with melanoma. Of GPs who would discuss SLNB with eligible patients, <40% correctly identified that SLNB is recommended for patients with an invasive melanoma >1 mm thick. DISCUSSION: GPs were generally supportive of SLNB. Familiarity with the guidelines was low, particularly regarding which patients should be considered for SLNB.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85085636086&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.31128/AJGP-10-19-5138

DO - 10.31128/AJGP-10-19-5138

M3 - Article

C2 - 32464734

AN - SCOPUS:85085636086

VL - 49

SP - 355

EP - 362

JO - Australian Journal of General Practice

JF - Australian Journal of General Practice

SN - 2208-794X

IS - 6

ER -

Australian general practitioners' attitudes and knowledge of sentinel lymph node biopsy in melanoma management

Abstract

UN SDGs

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Cite this