JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Skin cancer, the most common cancer in the US, is costly and potentially deadly. Its burden can be reduced by early detection and prevention activities. The scope of skin cancer requires going beyond traditional healthcare providers to promote risk reduction. Partnering with the non-biomedical workforce, such as massage therapists (MTs), may reach more individuals at risk. MTs see much of their clients’ skin, and are amenable to performing skin cancer risk reduction activities during massage appointments.

Objective:

We describe the Massage Therapists Skin Health Awareness, Referral and Education (MTsSHARE) protocol, presenting an overview of our systematic approach to developing rigorous e-training for MTs to enable them to be partners in skin cancer risk reduction. We also describe procedures for usability and feasibility testing of the training.

Methods:

We developed an integrated e-learning system that includes e-training technology, simulated client interactions, online data collection instruments, and in-person assessment of MTs’ application of their training.

Results:

20 participants nationally scored the e-training as high for usability and satisfaction. We have screened an additional 77 MTs in Arizona for interest and eligibility, and currently have 37 enrolled participants, of whom 32 have completed the online training.

Conclusions:

The structured and rigorous development approach for this skin cancer risk reduction and BBI e-training for MTs begins to fill a gap in skin cancer risk reduction research. Iterative usability testing of our asynchronous online training resulted in positive participant response. Our e-training approach offers greater learner accessibility, increased convenience, and greater scalability than the few existing programs, and has the potential to reach many MTs nationally.