Incorporating Decision Simulation Technology in a Skin Cancer Prevention E-Training for Massage Therapists

Area of Science:

• Health Professions Education
• Cancer Prevention Research
• Digital Health Training

Background:

• Decision simulation technology enhances health practitioner training.
• Limited research exists on its use for educating lay health practitioners in cancer prevention.
• Massage therapists (MTs) are potential conduits for public health information.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a decision simulation for a skin cancer risk reduction electronic training (e-training) for MTs.
• To assess MTs' ability to engage in client-focused helping conversations regarding skin cancer risk reduction.
• To evaluate the utility of decision simulations for assessing e-training competencies.

Main Methods:

• Five decision simulation cases were developed on the DecisionSim™ platform, mimicking MT-client interactions.
• MTs' performance was scored by tracking conversation pathways and dialog options (optimal, feedback required, suboptimal).
• Participant satisfaction and perceived helpfulness were assessed using a 5-point Likert scale.

Main Results:

• Eighty-one MTs completed the simulations, with most selecting suboptimal or feedback-required dialog options.
• A significant majority of MTs enjoyed the simulations (86%) and found them helpful (92%).
• Average completion time was 2.7 minutes per simulation.

Conclusions:

• Decision simulations integrated into e-training are valuable for assessing lay practitioners' application of cancer risk reduction knowledge.
• Simulations effectively evaluate the use of appropriate helping conversations in practice.
• This technology can enhance the practical skills of health professionals in cancer prevention education.