What This Means
This research describes how scientists used a method called a Virtual Community Engagement Studio (V-CES) to get feedback on text message-based health programs designed for people with cancer and their caregivers. A group of nine community members — including cancer survivors, caregivers, healthcare providers, and community health workers from Southern Arizona — reviewed 180 text messages about healthy eating, physical activity, and sleep. Sessions were held in both English and Spanish to make the process inclusive. The community members found text messaging to be a practical and fitting way to support health after cancer, and they gave specific suggestions to make the messages more effective.
The stakeholders recommended that messages use encouraging, positive language, incorporate motivational content, be written in relatable terms, and highlight evidence-based information. They also suggested sending two text messages per day, between 8:00 am and 7:00 pm, timed to match the behavior being promoted (for example, sleep-related messages sent in the evening). For Spanish-language messages, stakeholders emphasized that translation needs to account for regional language differences, not just direct word-for-word translation.
This research suggests that involving community members early in the design of health interventions — particularly those targeting underserved or diverse populations — can lead to more relevant and practical programs. The V-CES approach allowed researchers to refine a text message intervention before testing it more formally, potentially saving time and improving the chances that the program will be accepted and used by cancer survivors and their caregivers. Future studies will test whether the revised messages are feasible and acceptable in real-world settings.