A Provider Educational Program Promoting Testicular Cancer Awareness

Abstract

Abstract Testicular cancer (TC) is the most common malignancy in males aged 15 to 40. It is estimated that only 3% of men perform Testicular Self-Exam (TSE) and they have little awareness of this disease and how it is detected. Health care providers are failing to provide education to this demographic. Developing proactive health care behaviors early in the life span promotes early detection of chronic disease and decreases morbidity and mortality. Establishing this mentality can be facilitated by promoting education about TC and TSE. To further this aim the development and implementation of a Provider Education Program (PEP) for primary care providers that promotes and facilitates increased TSE teaching to the patients at a multi-provider family practice in Eastern North Carolina was created. A chart review of 3-months before the intervention of all routine screening health care visits for males aged 12 to 22 measuring the incidence of TSE teaching/awareness was conducted. An addition to the Electronic Health Record was proposed and implemented to facilitate documentation. This was in the form of a drop down check box within the genito-urinary system documentation area. At 3-months post intervention the incidence was measured again with pre and post intervention incidence compared. The incidence of provider TSE teaching for male patients’ age 12 to 20 in a primary care practice increased after the PEP from 5% to 26%.