This document summarizes the development and evaluation of a mobile app intervention called mISkin to promote sun-protective behaviors among holidaymakers. Researchers conducted a systematic review, qualitative interviews, and user testing to develop the app. A pilot study of 42 holidaymakers traveling for up to 2 weeks then evaluated the acceptability and feasibility of the mISkin app intervention and randomized trial procedures. Results found the app was satisfactory but identified ways to improve personalization and sun protection reminders based on individual risks. The study provides an example of translating skin cancer prevention research into an effective mobile health intervention.

1. www.fuse.ac.uk
From evidence to practice: an
example from the skin cancer
prevention research
Angela Rodrigues, PhD
Co-authors: Falko Sniehotta , Mark Birch-Machin, Patrick Olivier
& Vera Araujo-Soares
Fuse event
3 April 2017

7. Also…
Annual UV exposure
2-week holidays
30%

8. How can we develop and
evaluate an intervention to
promote sun-protective
behaviours?

9. Intervention development: flow chart
• Systematic review
• Qualitative study
• Developing a draft intervention
• User engagement
• Pilot

10. What do we know already from
other studies?

12. Skin deep?

13. Qualitative study

14. Interviews study
 Sample:
 17 participants (13 females & 4 males; 20-34
years: n=9; 35-49 years: n=5; 50-65+ years:
n=3);
 Main findings:
 Desire to tan and attributed a high value to acquire a
tanned appearance over holiday;
 Sufficient knowledge how to perform sun-protection
behaviour;
 Strategies such as planning and reminders were
identified as facilitators;
 Key barriers were: the impact of on the holiday
experiences, the fear of social consequences,
inconvenience of sun protection and lack of
facilities/resources (e.g. shade, sunscreen);

15. ‘A tan is worth a thousand words’

16. The miskin app

17. The mISkin mobile-phone application

23. Users’ feedback

24. User engagement study
 Sample:
 17 participants (13 females & 4 males; 20-34
years: n=9; 35-49 years: n=5; 50-65+ years:
n=3) provided feedback on the app features
and design.
 Main findings:
 All participants were satisfied with the
prototype and expressed willingness to use
it.
 Minor changes: customisable prompts with
suggestions, shortened videos, skin cancer

25. The pilot study

26. The study…
 Who can participate?
 Holidaymakers travelling for up to 2 weeks;
 ≥18 years old;
 Own an Android™ or iOS (iPhone; iPad)
mobile device.

28. Findings
 Participants characteristics
 42 participants (December 2012 to October 2013)
 Age: 35.5 years (SD= 9.7 years; range: 21-58)
 Gender: 76.2% female
 Most frequent holiday destinations:
 Spain (N=12; 28.6%)
 France (N=5; 11.9%)
 USA (N=5; 11.9%)
 Turkey (N=4; 9.5%)
 Greek Islands (N=4; 9.5%)

29. Findings: Acceptability and Feasibility
 Two main problems for recruitment
 Having another type of smartphone (e.g. iPhone);
 Willingness to be randomised to SPF15 or SPF30
 Acceptability of trial procedures
 Allocation to SPF
 Acceptability of mISkin intervention
 Majority was satisfied with the app
 Suggestions about possible ways of improving the
mISkin app:
 ‘Sun Alert Service’: possibility of having a systems that is able
to learn participants sun protection habits, preferences and
personal risks to sunburn, and personalise prompts according
to these (e.g. time until sunburn risk).

30. Acknowledgements
The work was undertaken by Fuse, a UKCRC Public Health Research: Centre of Excellence. Funding from the
British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK, Economic and Social Research council, Medical Research Council,
and the National Institute for Health Research, under the auspices of the UK Clinical Research Collaboration, is
greatly acknowledged.
Opinions expressed in this presentation do not necessarily represent those of the funders.
Research team:
Prof. Falko Sniehotta
Prof. Mark Birch-Machin
Dr Vera Araujo-Soares
Prof. Patrick Olivier
Sunscreens kindly provided by:
L’Oreal
Thank you!
Contact:
angela.rodrigues@ncl.ac.uk