Use of video “Dear 16-Year-Old Me,” as melanoma education tool results in participant health behaviour changes
December 21, 2021
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Skin cancer continues to be the most common cancer in the United States. The rise of social media platforms and internet use offers an opportunity to present health information through video-based education. The video “Dear 16-Year-OldMe,” addresses the risks associated with tanning and sun exposure, the importance of practicing sun protection, and shares stories from melanoma survivors.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the video “Dear 16-Year-Old Me,” as a patient education tool in dermatology clinics and to investigate whether viewing a short educational video can change knowledge about skin cancer risks and intention to improve skin cancer prevention behavior.
PATIENTS AND METHODS/MATERIALS AND METHODS/METHODS
English-speaking clinic patients between the ages of 14 to 45 years old were recruited. Exclusion criteria include both a personal or family history of skin cancer, dysplastic nevi, or other medical comorbidities. Forty-five participants agreed to participate; 38 were eligible for analysis.
RESULTS
Comparison of prevideo and postvideo responses demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in participants reporting they were likely to tan outdoors (p-value = .001). A significant increase was observed in the reported likelihood to have a professional skin examination (p-value < .001) or self-examination (p-value < .001) in the future.
CONCLUSION
and Relevance: Viewing “Dear 16-Year-Old Me,” resulted in reported participant changes in intention to tan outdoors and participate in skin surveillance. Although these are encouraging results, future studies with a comparison group are needed to elucidate whether these results correspond to changes in behavior. In the age of viral videos and readily accessible health information via the internet, continued investigation of video media on patient health behaviors should be pursued.
Source:
Olayiwola, Oluwatobi MD*; Lazovich, DeAnn MPH, PhD†; Wipf, Angela MD‡; Goldfarb, Noah MD‡,§,‖; Lindgren, Bruce MS¶; Bellefeuille, Gretchen BS‡; Farah, Ronda S. MD‡ The Use of the Video, “Dear 16-Year-Old Me,” as a Melanoma Education Tool in Ambulatory Dermatology, Dermatologic Surgery: December 2021 - Volume 47 - Issue 12 - p 1551-1555
doi: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000003248