Melanoma Early Detection and Primary Care Improvement Initiative

People in the Grampians region are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced stage melanoma than anywhere else in Victoria

This indicates late presentation and / or missed opportunities for early diagnosis. This reflects variation in early detection practices, assuming limited understanding of where and how melanoma is identified across primary care, a lack of coordination in screening and awareness activity, and unclear pathways for entry into the health system.

This Melanoma Early Detection and Primary Care Improvement Initiative (MEDPCI) aims to improve early detection of melanoma in the Grampians region by developing an understanding of where and how melanoma is identified across primary care, improving referral pathway clarity, and improving understanding of screening and awareness activities to inform future planning.

Phase 1 – Diagnostics

Objectives:

• Understand where and how melanoma is being detected, and how patients first enter the health system
• Map current screening and early detection services across the region to identify what is available and where there are gaps
• Identify why people are being diagnosed late and which groups are most at risk, to guide targeted awareness activities.

Activities:

• Prepare a regional melanoma snapshot and community profile
• Review available data related to early detection
• Map where melanomas are first identified in the region
• Map referral pathways outlined in the WVPHN HealthPathways
• Map existing screening, skin check and outreach activity across the region
• Complete a skin cancer detection in General Practice audit

Outputs to be Achieved:

• Current-state melanoma diagnosis journey map
• Gap analysis of the melanoma diagnosis pathway
• Documented review of the HealthPathways for WVPHN consideration
• Community profile summary report to inform targeting
• Survey summary report of current skin cancer detection practices in GP clinics

Next Steps

• Phase 2: solution design which may include the following activities:
  • Working collaboratively with WVPHN to update HealthPathways
  • Education event for General Practitioners
• Consideration of a Skin Cancer CoP for whole of region to be managed by members

Please reach out to the Project Lead for further information.