DAILY SUNSCREEN APPLICATION is known to prevent sun damage, including skin cancers, but getting people to apply sunscreen daily is no easy task. Researchers
at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, though, think the solution might already be in your pocket.
The researchers recently completed a randomized study in which all participants were asked to apply sunscreen
daily for six weeks. Half the participants received no reminders; the others received daily text messages on their cell phones,
reminding them to apply sunscreen.
Adherence rates were 30.0% for the no-reminder group and 56.1% for the reminder group.
Healthcare providers are encouraged to consider texting as a cost-effective means of increasing patient compliance. Jennifer L.W. Fink, RN, BSN
Reference
American Academy of Dermatology. New study finds text-messaging reminders effective in improving adherence to sunscreen use.
AAD Web site. http://www.aad.org/media/background/news/Releases/New_Study_Finds_TextMessaging_Reminders_Effective_/. Published March 5, 2009. Accessed April 6, 2009.
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