Data collection restarted in July 2007 with all changes arising from the pilot study implemented or in the process of being implemented. The following changes took place:

• The questionnaire was simplified and modified to be conducted mainly by telephone interview
• The participant information brochure was reworded and restructured to improve clarity.
• The consent form was restructured to improve clarity

A new component of the study to investigate the natural history of scarring, in collaboration with Dr Fiona Wood and the McComb foundation, was also incorporated into the full launch.

Evaluation
An evaluation of the pilot study was conducted to review the study materials and processes. Participant and practitioner feedback surveys were drafted by a team of 4 year medical students who were evaluating the pilot study for their research project. These surveys were mailed out to all practitioners contacted during the pilot study and all consenting participants. A review of the completed consent forms and questionnaires was also undertaken, to determine particular questions or sections that were poorly completed or problematic. Frequently asked questions by participants were determined from the call log from the study’s 1800 free call number, to assess whether areas of the study needed to be clarified in the participant information brochure. Any problems or issues arising from the blood collection process or recruitment process were also considered, to determine whether alternative processes or amendments to the current processes were required.

Evaluation Outcomes
As a result of the evaluation, several key conclusions were drawn. Outcomes from the participant feedback survey and review of the completed questionnaires highlighted the need for a simpler and shorter questionnaire, and potentially a new method of delivery. Similarly, the review of the consent forms indicated that due to the format of the form, particular sections were repeatedly not completed and that restructuring of the form was necessary. The nature of participant questions on the 1800 number indicated that some areas of the participant information brochure were perhaps not clear enough and that restructuring of the document was required to clarify this information. The main outcome from the practitioner feedback surveys was that the study poster provided was under utilized in their surgeries/clinics and could be removed from the information package sent to practitioners with the patient suitability forms.

No issues were identified with the blood collection or recruitment processes.

The WAMHS pilot study ran from October 2006 – February 2007. The aim of this study was to test the recruitment processes and study materials in a sample population before proceeding to full scale data collection.

• Poster presentation by Sarah Ward, entitled ‘The Western Australian Melanoma Health Study’

• Oral presentation by Gemma Cadby,entitled ‘Melanoma Prognosis in the Western Australian Melanoma Health Study’.
• Oral presentation by Sarah Ward, entitled ‘Scar Outcome Post Melanoma Excision’

• Oral presentation by Sarah Ward, entitled ‘The Western Australian Melanoma Health Study’

• Oral presentation by Sarah Ward, entitled ‘The Western Australian Melanoma Health Study

• Oral presentation by Sarah Ward, entitled ‘The Western Australian Melanoma Health Study

Western Australian Branch of the Australasian College for Dermatologists Annual Meeting, Perth, Australia.

• Oral presentation by Sarah Ward, entitled ‘The Western Australian Melanoma Health Study