MelaTools-eCDS
Research type
Research Study
Full title
MelaTools-eCDS Study: A multi-methods exploration of using the melanoma eCDS tool
IRAS ID
153707
Contact name
Fiona Walter
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Cambridge
Research summary
Melanoma is the leading cause of skin cancer deaths in the UK. The NIHR-funded 5 year MelaTools Programme has the overall aim of improving the timely diagnosis of melanoma by developing electronic tools to help patients monitor changes in moles over time and GPs to make prompt and appropriate management decisions.
One part of the MelaTools programme, the MelaTools-eCDS (electronic clinical decision support)study , will be undertaken in up to 10 general practices in the East of England. Each practice will undertake an initial audit to characterize GPs in terms of their use of the melanoma-eCDS tool - an electronic version of the 7-point checklist, recommended for GP use in the 2005 NICE guidelines for expected cancer. The electronic version has been developed by BMJ Informatica with MacMillan Cancer Support, and has been provided to all GPs using software supporting the BMJ Informatica platform. GPs will be identified as frequent users, infrequent users, and non-users of the eCDS tool.
A purposive sample of up to 10 frequent, 10 infrequent and 10 non-users together with 30 patients will be interviewed. Patients who had a consultation about a pigmented skin lesion and with whom the melanoma-eCDS tool was used in the previous 3 months will be identified and invited for interview. The aim is to gain a rich understanding of GPs’ and patients’ perspectives on using the melanoma-eCDS tool in routine clinical practice.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/EE/1100
Date of REC Opinion
1 Oct 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion