Amber Shen

Currently, one in three cancer diagnoses worldwide is skin cancer, with its incidence expected to rise further. As the number of cases grows and early detection remains crucial, the demand for dermatological services will increase. These challenges underscore the urgent need to expand capacity to provide timely access to care.

To address this issue, our research focuses on empowering non-dermatologists, particularly nurses, in the detection of skin cancer. We developed and implemented a system through a pilot project at the Dermatology Department of UZ Ghent, where trained nurses, supervised by a dermatologist, conduct consultations for patients with suspicious skin lesions. This consultation model, referred to as the ‘One-Spot-Check’ consultation, has since been integrated into the daily workflow of the department.

Moving forward, my PhD research will build on this groundwork in two key areas. Through these efforts, we aim to improve patient access to care for suspicious skin lesions, thereby facilitating early detection of skin cancer.

• We will develop a comprehensive training program with the objective of enhancing the competencies of non-dermatologists in skin cancer detection. The program will primarily target dermatology nurses, however, it will also be valuable for general practitioners, providing broader applicability across healthcare settings.

• We will evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of nurse-initiated ‘One Spot-Check’ consultations beyond University Hospital Ghent by transferring this consultation model to other Dermatology centres and practices. 
   

During my bachelor’s degree in nursing, I became increasingly aware of the importance of prevention in healthcare. Driven by this growing interest, I decided to deepen my knowledge by pursuing a Master's in Health Promotion at the University of Ghent, which I completed in 2020.

My professional journey began at Ghent University Hospital, where I worked as a study nurse in the research team of Prof. Dr. Brochez. This role allowed me to contribute to studies in the field of skin cancer, including research on the quality of life in patients with non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), the role of artificial intelligence in skin cancer detection, and the validation of an innovative skin imaging device. The highlight of my career so far has been actively contributing to the development and implementation of nurse-initiated ‘One-Spot-Check’ consultations at the Dermatology Department of University Hospital Ghent, an initiative that aims to enhance access to care and early detection of skin cancer.
 

• Lab addresses: Campus UZ Gent, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Gent
  -Skin CRIG: MRB2 - entrance 38 
  -Dermatology Department: Nobell - entrance 7
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