SpringerLink
Log in

Evaluating a Web-Based Educational Module on Oral Cancer Examination Based on a Behavioral Framework

  • Published:
Journal of Cancer Education Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Patients at risk of develo** oral and/or oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) are more likely to see primary care providers (PCPs) than a dentist. Many PCPs do not regularly perform oral cancer examination (OCE). The purpose of this study was to design a web-based educational program based on a behavioral framework to encourage PCPs to conduct OCE. PCPs were solicited to provide feedback on the program and to evaluate their short-term knowledge. The integrated behavioral model was used to design the program. Fifteen PCPs (five in each group: physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners) reviewed the program and took a posttest: (1) index of knowledge of risk factors for oral cancer (RiskOC) and (2) index of knowledge of diagnostic procedures for oral cancer (DiagOC). Findings from the process evaluation were mainly positive, with comments on the length of the program comprising the ten negative comments. No significant difference among groups of PCPs (physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners) was detected for DiagOC (p = 0.43) or RiskOC (p = 0.201). A program on OPC for PCPs should be less than 40 min. Postviewing knowledge outcomes were similar for all PCPs. The web-based program on OPC based on a behavioral framework could have similar short-term knowledge outcomes for all PCPs and may increase the number of PCPs performing OCEs.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
EUR 32.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or Ebook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Rethman L, Michael P, William C, Cohen EE, Jl E, Evans CA, Flaitz CM, Graham FJ, Hujoel PP, Kalmar JR, Koch WM, Lambert PM, Lingen MW, Oettmeier BW Jr, Patton LL, Perkins D, Reid BC, Sciubba JJ, Tomar SL, Al DW Jr, Krishna A, Julie F-H, Cleveland JL, Meyer DM (1939) American dental association council on scientific affairs expert panel on screening for oral squamous cell carcinomas. 2010. Evidence-based clinical recommendations regarding screening for oral squamous cell carcinomas. Journal of the American Dental Association 141:509–20

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Macek MD, Yellowitz JA (2013) Oral cancer examinations among smokers and moderate-heavy drinkers, United States, 2008. J Public Health Dent 73:280–288

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Horowitz AM, Nourjah PA (1996) Factors associated with having oral cancer examinations among US adults 40 years of age or older. J Public Health Dent 56:331–335

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Horowitz AM, Drury TF, Canto MT (2000) Practices of Maryland dentists: oral cancer prevention and early detection—baseline data from 1995. Oral Dis 6:282–288

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Canto MT, Horowitz AM, Drury TF, Goodman HS (2002) Maryland family physicians’ knowledge, opinions and practices about oral cancer. Oral Oncol 38:416–424

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Applebaum E, Ruhlen TN, Kronenberg FR, Catherine H, Peters ES (1939) Oral cancer knowledge, attitudes and practices: a survey of dentists and primary care physicians in Massachusetts. J Am Dent Assoc 140:461–7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Kowalski LP, Franco EL, Torloni H (1994) Lateness of diagnosis of oral and oropharyngeal carcinoma: factors related to the tumour, the patient and health professionals. Eur J Cancer B Oral Oncol 30B:167

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Elwood JM, Gallagher RP (1985) Factors influencing early diagnosis of cancer of the oral cavity. CMAJ 133:651–656

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Prout MN, Heeren TC, Barber CE, Rose L, Morris SG, Hurley C, Geller AC, Witzburg RA, Koh HK (1990) Use of health services before diagnosis of head and neck cancer among Boston residents. Am J Prev Med 6:77–83

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Goodman HS, Yellowitz JA, Horowitz AM (1995) Oral cancer prevention. The role of family practitioners. Arch Fam Med 4:628–636

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group. United States Cancer Statistics: 1999–2010 cancer incidence and mortality data. Accessed 8 Jan 2014

  12. Reid BC, Warren JL, Rozier G (2004) Comorbidity and early diagnosis of head and neck cancer in a Medicare population. Am J Prev Med 27:373–378

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Kujan O, Glenny A-M, Duxbury J, Thakker N, Sloan P (2005) Evaluation of screening strategies for improving oral cancer mortality: a Cochrane systematic review. J Dent Educ 69:255–265

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Wade J, Smith H, Hankins M, Llewellyn C (2010) Conducting oral examinations for cancer in general practice: what are the barriers? Fam Pract 27:77–84

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Macpherson LM, McCann MF, Gibson J, Binnie VI, Stephen KW (2003) The role of primary healthcare professionals in oral cancer prevention and detection. Br Dent J 195:277–281, discussion 263

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Sohn W, Ismail AI, Kolker JL (2005) Knowledge of oral cancer and screening practices of primary care providers at federally qualified health centers. J Public Health Dent 65:160–165

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Moyer, Virginia A. 2013. Screening for oral cancer: U.S. Preventive Service Task Force Recommendations Statement.S: 26 November 2013

  18. Speight PM, Downer MC, Zakrzewska J (1993) Screening for oral cancer and precancer. A report of the UK working group on screening for oral cancer and precancer. A report of the UK working group on screening for oral cancer and precancer. Community Dent Health 10:1–89

    Google Scholar 

  19. Bynum AB, Irwin CA, Cohen B (2010) Satisfaction with a distance continuing education program for health professionals. Telemed J E Health 16:776–786

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Casebeer L, Engler S, Bennett N, Irvine M, Sulkes D, DesLauriers M, Zhang S (2008) A controlled trial of the effectiveness of internet continuing medical education. BMC Med 6:37

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Garrison JA, Schardt C, Kochi JK (2000) Web-based distance continuing education: a new way of thinking for students and instructors. Bull Med Libr Assoc 88:211–217

    PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Montano DE, Kasprzyk D (2008) Theory of reasoned action, theory of planned behavior, and the integrated behavioral model. In: Glanz K, Rimer BK, Viswanath K (eds) Health behavior and health education theory, research and practice. Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, CA, pp 67–96

    Google Scholar 

  23. Yellowitz JA, Horowitz AM, Drury TF, Goodman HS (2000) Survey of U.S. dentists’ knowledge and opinions about oral pharyngeal cancer. J Am Dent Assoc 131:653–661

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Siriphant P, Drury TF, Horowitz AM, Harris RM (2001) Oral cancer knowledge and opinions among Maryland nurse practitioners. J Public Health Dent 61:138–144

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. LeHew CW, Epstein JB, Koerber A, Kaste LM (2009) Training in the primary prevention and early detection of oral cancer: pilot study of its impact on clinicians’ perceptions and intentions. Ear Nose Throat J 88:748–753

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was supported in part by grants from the National Institutes of Health K23 grant (DE016890), Health Future Foundation Faculty Development Grant (#240046), and The 2013 George F. Haddix President’s Faculty Research Fund from Creighton University. The authors thank Barbara Bittner from the Creighton University’s Office of Research and Compliance; Lisa Wee, M.A.; Kari Welniak and Joyce Winfield, Ph.D. from Writing Resources, for their help in editing this manuscript. The authors would like to thank Fusion Productions (Webster, NY) for help in packaging the web-based education module and incorporating the videos taken by Creighton University Marketing and Communications (Omaha, NE). Acknowledgments also go to Mrs. Lauren Ridgeway, the study coordinator, and Creighton University Health Sciences Continuing Education for providing the continuing education credits for study participants.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Prosthodontics, Creighton University School of Dentistry, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE, 68178, USA

    Alvin G. Wee

  2. Lincoln Division, College of Nursing, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Room CCRT 114, Commerce Court, 1230 O Street, Suite #131, Lincoln, NE, 68588-0220, USA

    Lani M. Zimmerman

  3. Department of Community Based Health, College of Nursing, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Room 4056, 985330 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198-5330, USA

    Carol H. Pullen

  4. College of Dentistry, Ohio State University, 305 W 12th Ave, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA

    Carl M. Allen

  5. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Idaho State University - Meridian, 1311E Central Drive, Meridian, ID, 83642, USA

    Paul M. Lambert

  6. Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Ohio State University, Suite 5251590 N High Street, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA

    Electra D. Paskett

  7. Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Department of Surgery - Dental Services, 4101 Woolworth Avenue, Omaha, NE, 68105, USA

    Alvin G. Wee

Authors
  1. Alvin G. Wee
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Lani M. Zimmerman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Carol H. Pullen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Carl M. Allen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Paul M. Lambert
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Electra D. Paskett
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alvin G. Wee.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Wee, A.G., Zimmerman, L.M., Pullen, C.H. et al. Evaluating a Web-Based Educational Module on Oral Cancer Examination Based on a Behavioral Framework. J Canc Educ 31, 158–165 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-014-0776-x

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-014-0776-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation