CECCR Speaker Series - Karen Glanz discusses skin cancer prevention program

Karen Glanz, Ph.D.

Skin cancer is highly prevalent but is preventable. Pool Cool is a multi-component, evidence-based intervention that has shown significant positive effects on children’s sun protection behaviors and on sun-safety environments at swimming pools. From 2003 to 2006, the Pool Cool diffusion trial evaluated the effects of two strategies for program diffusion on: 1) implementation, maintenance, and sustainability; 2) sun-safe policies and environments; and 3) sun protection habits and sunburns among children. The study used a three-level nested experimental design at over 400 pools in the US. Regions were randomized to Basic or Enhanced (reinforcement plus feedback) diffusion conditions. Survey data were collected at the beginning and end of each summer. An independent process evaluation was conducted each year, using site visits and telephone interviews with key informants at 120 participating pools. Process evaluation data provided information about program implementation, communication patterns in a national study, pool environments and staff sun-safety practices. There were many challenges in conducting this large-scale dissemination research trial. Key challenges to conducting research with hundreds of sites across the U.S. included obtaining a good response rate and high quality data; ensuring integrity of the data; prompt data processing; and triangulating the process and outcome evaluations. This seminar will summarize the research and highlight the communication methods that helped achieve its successful completion.