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- Title
Can patient-led surveillance detect subsequent new primary or recurrent melanomas and reduce the need for routinely scheduled follow-up? A protocol for the MEL-SELF randomised controlled trial.
- Authors
Ackermann, Deonna M.; Smit, Amelia K.; Janda, Monika; van Kemenade, Cathelijne H.; Dieng, Mbathio; Morton, Rachael L.; Turner, Robin M.; Cust, Anne E.; Irwig, Les; Hersch, Jolyn K.; Guitera, Pascale; Soyer, H. Peter; Mar, Victoria; Saw, Robyn P. M.; Low, Donald; Low, Cynthia; Drabarek, Dorothy; Espinoza, David; Emery, Jon; Murchie, Peter
- Abstract
<bold>Background: </bold>Most subsequent new primary or recurrent melanomas might be self-detected if patients are trained to systematically self-examine their skin and have access to timely medical review (patient-led surveillance). Routinely scheduled clinic visits (clinician-led surveillance) is resource-intensive and has not been shown to improve health outcomes; fewer visits may be possible if patient-led surveillance is shown to be safe and effective. The MEL-SELF trial is a randomised controlled trial comparing patient-led surveillance with clinician-led surveillance in people who have been previously treated for localised melanoma.<bold>Methods: </bold>Stage 0/I/II melanoma patients (n = 600) from dermatology, surgical, or general practice clinics in NSW Australia, will be randomised (1:1) to the intervention (patient-led surveillance, n = 300) or control (usual care, n = 300). Patients in the intervention will undergo a second randomisation 1:1 to polarised (n = 150) or non-polarised (n = 150) dermatoscope. Patient-led surveillance comprises an educational booklet, skin self-examination (SSE) instructional videos; 3-monthly email/SMS reminders to perform SSE; patient-performed dermoscopy with teledermatologist feedback; clinical review of positive teledermoscopy through fast-tracked unscheduled clinic visits; and routinely scheduled clinic visits following each clinician's usual practice. Clinician-led surveillance comprises an educational booklet and routinely scheduled clinic visits following each clinician's usual practice. The primary outcome, measured at 12 months, is the proportion of participants diagnosed with a subsequent new primary or recurrent melanoma at an unscheduled clinic visit. Secondary outcomes include time from randomisation to diagnosis (of a subsequent new primary or recurrent melanoma and of a new keratinocyte cancer), clinicopathological characteristics of subsequent new primary or recurrent melanomas (including AJCC stage), psychological outcomes, and healthcare use. A nested qualitative study will include interviews with patients and clinicians, and a costing study we will compare costs from a societal perspective. We will compare the technical performance of two different models of dermatoscope (polarised vs non-polarised).<bold>Discussion: </bold>The findings from this study may inform guidance on evidence-based follow-up care, that maximises early detection of subsequent new primary or recurrent melanoma and patient wellbeing, while minimising costs to patients, health systems, and society.<bold>Trial Registration: </bold>Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): ACTRN12621000176864 . Registered on 18 February 2021.
- Subjects
NEW South Wales; NEW Zealand; HEALTH care reminder systems; CLINICAL trial registries; MELANOMA; RANDOMIZED controlled trials; INSTRUCTIONAL films; LED displays
- Publication
Trials, 2021, Vol 22, Issue 1, p1
- ISSN
1745-6215
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.1186/s13063-021-05231-7