Summary of the intervention and comparator components
| Component | Description | Intervention | Usual care |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full dermatological appointment at the high-risk clinic | Full dermatological appointments at the high-risk clinics designed to screen patients using different techniques, including dermoscopy, digital dermoscopy monitoring and total body photography | Every 6 months | Every 6 months |
| Psychoeducational booklet, ‘Melanoma: Questions and Answers’ | A 76-page, full-colour, evidence-based, psychoeducational booklet comprised of seven modules and a series of tailored resources. The booklet features comprehensive information on a range of topics, including melanoma types and risk factors, clinical care for people affected by melanoma, tools for skin self-examination and doctor–patient communication, psychological aspects associated with melanoma, including living with fear of new or recurrent melanoma, coping responses, tools for keeping track of one's care, and pathways to further information and support | Four weeks prior to 6-monthly full dermatological appointment | At the end of the trial |
| Cancer Council booklet, ‘Understanding Melanoma’ | Easy-to-read information about melanoma diagnosis, treatment, and emotional and practical issues. The booklet was sent to participants 4 weeks prior to their next full dermatological appointment | Four weeks prior to 6-monthly full dermatological appointment | Four weeks prior to 6-monthly full dermatological appointment |
| Psychotherapeutic Session 1 | Scheduled 1 week prior to patients’ 6-monthly full dermatological appointment. Session 1 featured a psychological assessment, including discussion of participants’ background, experiences of melanoma and clinical care, other health-related experiences, information and support needs, and goals, hopes and wishes for the intervention | One week prior to 6-monthly full dermatological appointment | Never |
| Psychotherapeutic Session 2 | Session 2 included exploration of participants’ experience of his or her recent high-risk melanoma clinic appointment and its outcomes, the clinical care received, review of previous session and any difficulties experienced, participants’ unmet information and support needs, and information and referral for addressing unmet needs, when appropriate | One week after 6-monthly full dermatological appointment | Never |
| Psychotherapeutic Session 3 | Session 3 comprised: review of previous session and any difficulties experienced since the session, discussion of the degree to which unmet needs have been addressed, discussion of new strategies to address potential future difficulties or concerns, exploration of relevant services and resources in the booklet and other sources and facilitation of referral for ongoing psychological care, if indicated | Three weeks after 6-monthly full dermatological appointment | Never |