Objective This project aims to elucidate the relationships between skin self-examination (SSE), perceived physician support of SSE, and self-efficacy for SSE among melanoma patients. Methods A longitudinal study of patients diagnosed with melanoma was conducted over the span of 18 months. Participants filled out questionnaires at four assessment points and participated in an SSE education about the early signs of melanoma. Results Among the 242 patients enrolled, the level of self-efficacy for SSE was 23% higher immediately after the educational intervention ( p p .001) and twelve months later ( p .001). Additionally, a one-way repeated measures ANOVA revealed that the perceived physician support of SSE positively corresponded to the level of patient self-efficacy with higher patient-reported physician support being related to higher self-efficacy ( p = .001). Conclusion Patient education and perceived physician support of SSE are positively associated with patients’ level of self-efficacy. Practice implications Physicians caring for melanoma survivors should be aware that, both SSE education and patients’ perception of high physician support of SSE may be associated with higher self-efficacy for checking one’s own skin for signs of cancer recurrence.
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