Melanoma in General Practice - Getting the pathology right

Treating clinicians rely on pathology to help diagnose and stage their patient which fundamentally determines the treatment management plan. Therefore, it is incredibly important to get it right in the first place.In this engaging podcast aimed at GPs, our multidisciplinary experts discuss:Why can it be challenging to get the pathology right?What clinical information is important to include on the pathology request form?How is the pathology report structured?How is the specimen processed?What biopsy is key to maximising the diagnostic and prognostic interpretation of the pathology?Are partial biopsies ever appropriate?What implications does the type of biopsy have for subsequent surgery?When does a GP need to refer their patient?The discussion is concluded with two case studies to summarise key learnings.This podcast is suitable for GPs, Dermatologists, Surgeons, Oncologists, Pathologists and other healthcare professionals.SPEAKERSDr Adrian Quek - Skin Cancer GP, Melanoma Institute Australia and The Chatswood Skin Cancer ClinicDr Alison Potter - Pathologist, Melanoma Institute Australia and Royal Prince Alfred HospitalDr Nigel Maher - McMurtrie Cancer Pathology Fellow, Melanoma Institute AustraliaA/Prof Alexander van Akkooi - Associate Professor in Melanoma Surgical Oncology, Melanoma Institute Australia and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, The University of SydneyDr Niamh-Anna O’Sullivan - Specialist Dermatologist, Melanoma Institute AustraliaHOSTDanielle Fischer - Education Program Manager, Melanoma Institute AustraliaFor more practice-changing education, visit the Melanoma Education Portal (melanomaeducation.org.au).-------------------------------------------------------------------------------If you are a General Practitioner who gets invited to dozens of webinars a month. The General Practice Clinical Sessions Podcast is designed for you.Instead of giving up an evening with your family for a live webinar or your weekend for a conference, you can listen to it here whenever it's convenient, in half the time and while you are commuting, exercising or even walking the dog.It's the same education, without interrupting your life.GPs can also earn CPD hours.Earn Educational Activity (EA) CPD without sacrificing time with your family.Listen to your Clinical Sessions Podcasts on your commute or while you exercise. Then each week, calculate the amount of time you invest listening and count that as self claimed Educational Activities (EA).Earn Reviewing Performance (RP) CPD without sacrificing time with your family.After each podcast, pause for a few minutes and identify and summarise 3 key points relevant to your scope of practice.Identify the key clinical learnings that may be incorporated into the clinical assessment, work-up and/or management plan for appropriate patients.If relevant, would you change any of your management strategies for those patients identified by appropriate screening, examination and investigation.Invest 10 minutes per podcast mentally reviewing your practice. When you listen to 6 podcasts per week, you have earned an hour of Reviewing Performance CPD you can self claim.Remember to document your learning!Earn Measuring Outcomes (MO) CPD without sacrificing time with your family.To claim MO, you need:A baseline measurementA change in practiceA re-measurementReflection on the outcome1. Identify a measurable change. After the podcast, ask:“What will I do differently on Monday?”Example:Start using a screening toolChange prescribing habitsIncrease documentation of a risk factor2. Measure your baseline (quick audit). Do a small, realistic auditExamples:Review last 10 patients with condition X% who had guideline-based management% with documented counselling3. Implement the change. Apply the idea from the podcast for 2–4 weeksCould be as simple as a checklist, template, or reminder4. Re-measure. Repeat the same audit:Same sample sizeSame criteria5. Reflect & Document:What changed?Did outcomes improve?What will you keep doing?If you enjoy learning through podcasts and video podcasts then you can also access thousands of premium podcasts with PowerPoint Slides at https://www.armchairmedical.tv/podcastsEnjoying the episode?⭐ Rate this episode➕ Follow the podcast💬 Share it with a colleague who’d value conference learning without the time awayDisclaimer: Content is for health professionals and general educational purposes only. It is not medical advice or a substitute for independent clinical judgement. Always consult current guidelines, product information and local protocols. Views expressed are those of the presenters and not necessarily ArmchairMedical. ArmchairMedical accepts no responsibility or liability for any loss or harm resulting from reliance on the information provided.Visit https://www.armchairmedical.tv/podcasts for more information.