Mobile phone-delivered technologies can improve skin cancer prevention outcomes, according to a QUT Improving Health Outcomes for People research group study.
Linda Finch, group manager and research officer from the research group at Queensland University of Technology, published her findings in the renowned international journal Preventive Medicine.
As part of the SknTec study, Ms Finch reviewed current literature (between 2001 and 2015) on the use of mobile text messaging and similar electronic technologies in the area of skin cancer prevention.
“This research found that interventions using text messaging, mobile phone applications, and electronic messages via email resulted in behaviour change in at least one outcome such as frequency of sunburn, increased adherence to sunscreen use, shade usage, and spending less time in the sun,” she said.
The evidence for these technologies is promising, and additional improvements have been suggested by the authors such as monitoring technology to track sunscreen adherence, longer follow-up periods, or greater personalisation of the timing, frequency, or intensity of text message delivery could be tested in future trials.
Publication
- Finch, Linda, Janda, Monika, Loescher, Lois J., & Hacker, Elke (2016) Can skin cancer prevention be improved through mobile technology interventions? A systematic review. Preventive Medicine, 90, pp. 121-132.
