‘Balish’: Bahasa Inggris Dialek Pekerja Pariwisata di Kawasan Wisata Kuta Bali

English plays an important role for workers in the tourism sector of all classes, including wholesalers, massage therapists, parking attendants, and shop assistants. Preliminary observations show that they, in general, use Balinese dialect of English or Balish. This article describes the Balish used in tourism area of Kuta, Bali, by tourism workers who have naturalized the English language by adopting several language features, especially Balinese and Indonesian, such as sentence structures, words, and expressions. The data were analyzed using The New Englishes theory and the results showed that the use of Balinese and Indonesian words in English resulted in the creation of new words, grammatical shifts, changes in word meanings, use of idioms, use of groups of verbs, and repetition of forms. Balish has adopted several grammatical features, both from Balinese and Indonesian, and it is hoped that one day it will have regular speakers so that it becomes a pidgin.

Partnering With Massage Therapists to Communicate Information on Reducing the Risk of Skin Cancer Among Clients: Longitudinal Study

Background Skin cancer affects millions of Americans and is an important focus of disease prevention efforts. Partnering with non–health care practitioners such as massage therapists (MTs) can reduce the risk of skin cancer. MTs see clients’ skin on a regular basis, which can allow MTs to initiate “helping conversations” (ie, brief behavioral interventions aimed at reducing the risk of skin cancer). Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate (1) the feasibility of recruiting, enrolling, and retaining Arizona MTs in an online electronic training (e-training) and (2) the preliminary efficacy of e-training on knowledge, attitudes/beliefs, and practice of risk reduction for skin cancer. We explored MTs’ ability to assess suspicious skin lesions. Methods We adapted the existing educational content on skin cancer for applicability to MTs and strategies from previous research on helping conversations. We assessed the feasibility of providing such e-training, using Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) tools for data capture. We assessed the preliminary efficacy using established self-report surveys at baseline, immediately post training, and at 3 and 6 months post training. Results A total of 95 participants enrolled in the study, of which 77% (73/95) completed the assessments at 6 months (overall attrition=23%). Project satisfaction and e-training acceptability were high. Knowledge, personal behaviors (skin self-examination, clinical skin examination, sun protection frequency), and practice attitudes (appropriateness and comfort with client-focused communication) of risk reduction for skin cancer improved significantly and were sustained throughout the study. Conclusions The e-training was feasible and could be delivered online successfully to MTs. Participants were highly satisfied with and accepting of the e-training. As such, e-training has potential as an intervention in larger trials with MTs for reducing the risk of skin cancer. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR2-10.2196/13480

Licensing massage therapists in the name of crime: the case of Harper v Lindsay

PurposeThis study aims to analyze the trends for crime and STDs after the passage of massage therapist licensing. In 1977, Texas passed a law permitting county-level licensing laws for massage therapists, which was soon followed by a statewide licensing requirement in 1985. This early massage therapy law was upheld by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Massage therapy licensing is commonly associated with preventing crime, specifically prostitution. However, massage parlors also represent an opportunity for entrepreneurs starting businesses, who face significant barriers to entry across the USA.Design/methodology/approachThe authors analyze the effect of state- and city-level licensing of massage therapists on crime and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases using data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reports from 1985–2013 and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention between 1993-2015.FindingsThe authors find that state- and city-level licensing of massage therapists was not associated with preventing crimes related to prostitution or reducing sexually transmitted diseases. This analysis is consistent with the hypothesis that relaxing the stringency of massage therapist licensing would not lead to increases in crime or additional spread of disease while likely encouraging entrepreneurship.Originality/valueThis study is one of the first to examine the effects of city-level licensing on health and safety of consumers.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the Massage Therapy Profession

It has been documented that there are disparities in who seeks massage therapy in the United States. Yet, there are few conversations about race and ethnicity of the massage therapists who provide these services. We must examine the diversity, equity, and inclusion within the massage therapy profession and consider how the profession can improve the landscape for clients/patients and for those who feel called to work within this field. Although the diversity of the profession and those who seek treatment are rarely discussed, this paper explores these issues and offers possible solutions to expand the diversity of the profession and patient population.