Outdoor workers have a high risk of skin cancer due to regular UV exposure, yet a recent Australian study found limited awareness and use of digital tools to support sun protection behaviours. The findings highlight the need for practical, workplace-focused digital solutions that meet the specific needs of people who work outdoors.
Abstract
Background: Understanding digital health interventions (DHIs) from the user perspective is essential for developing best-practice, consumer-informed solutions.
Objective: Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer globally, yet awareness of how DHIs can mitigate its impact remains limited. This study explored the views of outdoor workplaces and workers in sectors such as construction, recreation, and water utilities across NSW and QLD regarding DHIs that promote sun protection and general wellbeing.
Methods: A mixed-methods study recruited 15 outdoor workplaces and 107 workers to complete a REDCap survey using a snowball sampling approach. The survey for workplaces contained 10 closed and 11 open-ended questions. The survey for workers contained 16 closed and seven open-ended questions. Data were analysed using Excel, guided by the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation Behaviour (COM-B) framework to examine links between worker capability, opportunity, motivation, and awareness of DHIs.
Results: Almost all participants (98/107; 91.6% outdoor workers) reported to have no or only limited exposure to digital health interventions that promote skin cancer awareness and sun exposure recommendations. Very few outdoor workplaces (6/15; 40%) and outdoor workers (21/107; 19.6%) had used other general health and wellbeing-focused digital health interventions. Outdoor workers raised they have very little understanding or awareness of what digital health interventions are, how they could be used and how individuals and workplaces can benefit from it. Outdoor workers raised their need for design elements that are specific to their work setting and environment.
Conclusion: Findings suggest that outdoor workplaces need to consider implementing targeted digital health interventions to facilitate behaviour change to address a range of outdoor worker needs. Review of current digital health intervention design models, frameworks and strategies need to be undertaken for priority population groups such as outdoor workers. Current interventions do not appear to address user needs.
Reference:
Sandel C, McColl-Kennedy J, Janda M. Use of digital health interventions by outdoor workplaces in Australia: A focus on skin cancer prevention interventions. DIGITAL HEALTH. 2026;12. doi:10.1177/20552076261452162