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Australia has one of the highest skin cancer rates in the world which unfortunately continues to rise. Early detection and treatment of skin cancer is vital to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with this disease. General practitioners are at the front line of skin cancer detection, given they have more than one million patient consultations per year for skin cancer. On average, there are about 20 skin cancers per year per general practitioner in Australia.

With Australia the epicenter for melanoma and general practice GPs are ideally positioned for their pivotal role in diagnosis and management.  The national skin audit has been designed to assist all clinicians to actively improve their clinical information given to Pathologists using designated skin request forms, advance their clinical identification of suspect lesions, review treatment methods and surgical skills which aids in the improvement of quality of care for patients Australia wide. All referring clinicians taking part will be able to review their personal findings by reviewing reports from collected data against nominated peer group and the broader cohort.

Utilising QML Pathology, it is essential for the audit that you utilise the specialised skin audit request forms to enable the data to be collected and recorded for each submitted specimen. Each audit cycle covers a 12-month period of regular clinical practice, with a minimum of 30 submitted specimens submitted. You will receive reports sent directly to you second monthly where you can review your performance and outcomes on a frequent basis as an individual, against your nominated peers and all participants.

Learning Outcomes

1. Assess and review current personal surgical practice by reviewing reports from collected data compared with nominated peer group and the greater cohort
2. Identify areas of improvement for diagnostic accuracy v histologic findings following review of individual reports
3. Assess margin clearance of excised lesions captured from data (excision, punch excision/ shave excision) to ensure adequacy is met
4. Revise and apply practice standards for the screening skin cancer and excisions to ensure patient outcomes and guidelines are being met.

Details

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Upon completion, your CPD activity record may take up to 4 weeks to be reflected on your CPD Home Dashboard.