Dr Kim Gibson1, Mr Lachlan Darch1, Mr Greg Sharplin1, Professor Marion Eckert1
1Rosemary Bryant AO Research Centre, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia
Biography:
Dr Kim Gibson is a Registered Nurse and Research Fellow at the Rosemary Bryant AO Research Centre, Adelaide University. She leads the 600 Nurses Project: an innovation to educate and train primary care nurses in regional Australia to perform skin checks using best practice dermoscopy. After completing formal dermoscopy training, she now practises as a Nurse Dermoscopist and coordinates the Professional Certificate in Dermoscopy at Adelaide University. The project provides hands-on experience through free “pop-up” community skin-check clinics and conducts research on regional Australians’ skin cancer risk and care experiences.
Abstract:
Background: Melanoma incidence and mortality are higher in regional Australia than in metropolitan areas, underscoring the impact of geographic isolation on skin cancer outcomes. A shortage of doctors with specialised training in skin cancer detection further compounds this.
Aim: To develop a network of primary care nurses for sustainable and targeted skin cancer checks across regional South Australia (SA).
Methods: The nurse-led model integrates university-based education in clinical dermoscopy with supervised practical experience delivered through ‘pop-up’ skin check clinics across regional SA. Research is conducted on consumer skin cancer risk profiles, characteristics of lesions identified, and the experiences of both nurses and consumers.
Results: To-date, 58 regional primary care nurses have been trained and 15 pop-up clinics provided. In total, 1463 people received a skin check, with 55% and 20% of consumers deemed above average risk for keratinocyte cancer and melanoma, respectively. 608 lesions suspicious for malignancy were detected. The nurse-led model was overwhelmingly accepted by the community.
Conclusion: Nurses can improve access to skin checks for people living in regional areas. Expanding this network nationally will facilitate earlier detection and, ultimately, save lives. It is now essential that nurses are supported to embed these skills into routine clinical practice.