Patient involvement in pre-surgical triaging for non-melanoma skin cancer: A feasibility study.

Publication date: Jul 01, 2025

The rising incidence of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) calls for innovation to manage the disease, given its significant morbidity and associated costs. Effective triaging is crucial to optimize patient pathways and reduce hospital visits. This study investigated whether pre-surgical triage could be improved by inviting patients with NMSC to capture and submit two photographs of their skin lesions and completing a questionnaire using a mobile application called ‘Mit Sygehus’, which is an integrated part of the patients’ electronic medical record. Our study employed a mixed-methods approach to evaluate the practicality and patient experience with the application. Three patients participated in a workshop where they successfully used the ‘Mit Sygehus’ application and provided valuable feedback that led to refinements in the process. A pilot study was conducted, inviting 55 eligible patients, with 27 responding. Of these, 18 were triaged directly to surgical treatment and avoided a visit in the outpatient clinic. Interviews with 15 patients who did not accept the invitation revealed technical difficulties as the primary barrier, despite a willingness to participate. A subset of patients preferred traditional consultations due to advanced age and uncertainty as to the use of the new technology. In conclusion, incorporating patient-submitted photographs into the pre-surgical planning process for NMSC appears promising for optimizing patient triage.

Concepts Keywords
Cancer Adult
Mit Aged
Optimizing Aged, 80 and over
Outpatient Carcinoma, Basal Cell
Pilot Carcinoma, Squamous Cell
Feasibility Studies
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Mobile Applications
Non-melanoma skin cancer
Patient Participation
Photography
Pilot Projects
Preoperative Care
Skin Neoplasms
Surgical treatment
Surveys and Questionnaires
Telehealth
Triage
Triage

Semantics

Type Source Name
disease MESH melanoma
pathway KEGG Melanoma
disease MESH skin cancer
disease MESH morbidity
disease MESH uncertainty

Original Article

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