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© 2020. This work is licensed under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

Background: Skin cancer affects millions of Americans and is an important focus of disease prevention efforts. Partnering with non–health care practitioners such as massage therapists (MTs) can reduce the risk of skin cancer. MTs see clients’ skin on a regular basis, which can allow MTs to initiate “helping conversations” (ie, brief behavioral interventions aimed at reducing the risk of skin cancer).

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate (1) the feasibility of recruiting, enrolling, and retaining Arizona MTs in an online electronic training (e-training) and (2) the preliminary efficacy of e-training on knowledge, attitudes/beliefs, and practice of risk reduction for skin cancer. We explored MTs’ ability to assess suspicious skin lesions.

Methods: We adapted the existing educational content on skin cancer for applicability to MTs and strategies from previous research on helping conversations. We assessed the feasibility of providing such e-training, using Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) tools for data capture. We assessed the preliminary efficacy using established self-report surveys at baseline, immediately post training, and at 3 and 6 months post training.

Results: A total of 95 participants enrolled in the study, of which 77% (73/95) completed the assessments at 6 months (overall attrition=23%). Project satisfaction and e-training acceptability were high. Knowledge, personal behaviors (skin self-examination, clinical skin examination, sun protection frequency), and practice attitudes (appropriateness and comfort with client-focused communication) of risk reduction for skin cancer improved significantly and were sustained throughout the study.

Conclusions: The e-training was feasible and could be delivered online successfully to MTs. Participants were highly satisfied with and accepting of the e-training. As such, e-training has potential as an intervention in larger trials with MTs for reducing the risk of skin cancer.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): RR2-10.2196/13480

Details

Title
Partnering With Massage Therapists to Communicate Information on Reducing the Risk of Skin Cancer Among Clients: Longitudinal Study
Author
Loescher, Lois  VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Heslin, Kelly  VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Silva, Graciela  VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Muramoto, Myra  VIAFID ORCID Logo 
Section
Formative Evaluation of Digital Health Interventions
Publication year
2020
Publication date
Nov 2020
Publisher
JMIR Publications
e-ISSN
2561326X
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2512400096
Copyright
© 2020. This work is licensed under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.