Abstract
Background. Families with a melanoma history are at risk of melanoma. Melanoma survival improves when people are aware of their risk and ways to modify it. We explored at-risk families' perceived risk communication from healthcare providers. Methods. Qualitative description. Results. Participants perceived: (1) few provider discussions of melanoma risk or risk-modifying behaviors; (2) a desire to trust information from providers; (3) the healthcare system constrains communication; and (4) concerns about provider competence and caring regarding worrisome lesions. Conclusions. Providers should provide clear, comprehensive, accurate, and consistent messages about melanoma to persons at high risk; messages also convey competence and caring.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors acknowledge the contributions of Kristina Beglarian (coding), Kyung Hee Lim (Atlas.ti), and the University of Arizona College of Nursing Writers Group.
Notes
Presented at the 9th National Conference on Cancer Nursing Research, Oncology Nursing Society and American Cancer Society, Hollywood, CA, February 2007 (by LJL).
Supported by the National Cancer Institute (NIH-NCI 1K07CA106996) (LJL).