Randomized Trial of Tailored Skin Cancer Prevention Messages for Adults - Case Study Example

? A Randomized Trial of Tailored Skin Cancer Prevention Messages for Adults Introduction Research funders and medical journals are interested in empirical research that comes up with facts on how to manage the various issues in the medical filed. This tendency towards practical, factual oriented research has led to underdevelopment of research in the area of therapeutic theories and their application in the medical field. There are several assumptions that are floated around to justify this anomaly in research, and they include; considering theories is not useful for practical purposes; research is on facts is separated from theory; tinkering about theories means developing them. All these are assumptions that do not reflect the exact significance of theories in scientific research (Goodson, 2010). Theories form the capstone of research, planning, and practice in any field. It is a fact that all thinking is subject to theoretical applications because it all academic texts are full of theories. Theories influence how information or rather evidence is collected, analyzed, comprehended, and utilized; this makes it imperative to study, examine, and use theories in scientific research. In light of all this, evidence based research centered on theory has been embraced. It has been touted as a move towards improving the effectiveness and quality of health interventions. Proponents of theory based evidence research argue that empirical evidence is not enough to shape practice; therefore, theory is essential for the creation of evaluation programs for practice. The paper will examine an evidence-based theory research, and highlight the benefits that are credited to use of theory approaches in medical research. A randomized trial of tailored skin cancer prevention messages for adults: Project SCAPE. Purpose The purpose of the study was to analyze the use of theory in changing health behavior of the public. The study assessed the use of health literature along a continuum that was based on theory application and testing. The study evaluated the impact of mailed, health literature on tailored intervention on the prevention of skin cancer, and skin self-examination of adults that are at risk of skin cancer (Glanz, 2010). Summary of the intervention The tailored health literature that was mails in Project SCAPE had a theoretical base in social, cognitive theory, and health belief model. The project featured a number of tailoring variables including reported sun exposure, skin examination practices, and readiness to change, extent of sunscreen application, behavioral capability, and social norms. All these variables formed part of the BRAT assessment, which analyzed risk factors and levels. The intervention materials were distributed as messages using mails. The focus groups that were incorporated in the intervention were sent materials in 3 packages sent at an interval of a fortnight. The group received a personalized recommendation feedback system for risk, skin self-examination instructions, self-monitoring aids for U.V, practice tools, and literature on skin cancer detection and prevention. A single mailing of a tip sheet on the use of sunscreen, a bookmark, and a safety booklet was sent to the focus group. Domains addressed The study addressed the following areas: Preventive behavior 1. Exposure behaviors 2. Limitations caused by illiteracy 3. The consistence and validity of self-reporting 4. Different assessment tools utilized 5. The use of sunscreen cream among adults and children 6. The effect of tailored treatment on focus group 7. Honolulu and New York areas Analysis and alternative theory approach Participants for this study were recruited after being given a brief questionnaire that validated their inclusion in the study. BRAT was used to determine the participant’s risk factor before inclusion in the study. The exclusion criteria of the study included participant not speaking English, having plans to be out of town for two or more weeks during the study, and being treated for skin cancer during the period of the study. The data collection methods include Sun habits survey, which questioned participants on their knowledge on skin cancer, habitual sun exposure, demographic and geographic characteristics, and their knowledge on skin self-examination. The sun exposure diary was also used to collect data. The participants were required to fill the diary for 4 days on sun exposure and other protective behaviors enacted during the period. Telephone interviews formed part of the data collection; the participants had to respond to telephone interviews every Monday or Tuesday afternoon. The interviews were based on knowing the sun exposure and protection habits of participants during the preceding weekend. All the data collected was essential in coming up with conclusions based on the research. The effects of the treatment were assessed on the basis of the data collected using all the highlighted collection methods. The design of the assessment intervention was exquisite limiting the chance of erroneous results. The intervention was successful because it resulted in increase the number of skin self-examinations and professional ones. Project SCAPE was inexpensive, and low labor intensive focusing on preventive behavior change and it was successful. There is no other approach that can be recommended for such a study because of the benefits of using Project SCAPE. Key Findings and conclusion Using tailored communication has an impact on the skin cancer prevention habits and practices. The data collected from the research revealed an increase in the sub protection habits, performance of skin examinations administered by self. Data from the sun diaries reflected an increase in the use of sunscreen among the treatment group. The project credits proponents of tailored communication in a bid to enhance theory based treatment. The research has shown that tailored messages are suitable in focusing of prevention methods to those with a high risk of disease. This type of focusing increases the effectiveness and efficiency of promotion against cancer. Project SCAPE lays the foundation for exploring inexpensive and convenient that interventions that for health problems. Conclusion The science of implementation of practical research is significantly boosted by theory utilization. The Project SCAPE study proves that the use of a systematic approach of theory can go a long way in alleviating some of the prevalent diseases that the world faces. The current knowledge of theory practice in research is limited so it is vital to invest in cognitive therapy research along the lines of theory application (Glanz, 2008). References Glanz, K. S. (2010). A Randomized Trial of Tailored Skin Cancer Prevention Messages for Adults: Project SCAPE. National Institute of Health, 735-741. Goodson, P. (2010). Theory in Health Promotion Research and Practice. Toronto: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Glanz, K. & Painter, J. (2008). The Use of Theory in Health Behavior Research. The Society of Behavioral Medicine, 358-362. Read More