@Article{info:doi/10.2196/21309,
author="Loescher, Lois
and Heslin, Kelly
and Silva, Graciela
and Muramoto, Myra",
title="Partnering With Massage Therapists to Communicate Information on Reducing the Risk of Skin Cancer Among Clients: Longitudinal Study",
journal="JMIR Form Res",
year="2020",
month="Nov",
day="2",
volume="4",
number="11",
pages="e21309",
keywords="cancer prevention; skin cancer; e-training; electronic intervention; massage therapists",
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 ",
issn="2561-326X",
doi="10.2196/21309",
url="https://formative.jmir.org/2020/11/e21309",
url="https://doi.org/10.2196/21309",
url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33136054"
}