Two-year follow-up of the effectiveness of a multifaceted intervention to improve adherence to annual colorectal cancer screening in community health centers.

PURPOSE: We previously found that a multifaceted outreach intervention achieved 82 % annual adherence to colorectal cancer (CRC) screening with fecal occult blood testing (FOBT). This study assessed adherence to FOBT after a second outreach. METHODS: We followed 225 patients in community health centers in Chicago, Illinois, who were randomized to the intervention group. Our primary analysis focused on 124 patients who completed FOBT during the first outreach and were due again for annual FOBT; 90% were Latino, 87% preferred to speak Spanish, and 77% were uninsured. Second outreach consisted of (1) a mailed reminder letter, a free fecal immunochemical test (FIT) with postage-paid return envelope, (2) automated phone and text messages, (3) automated reminders 2 weeks later if the FIT was not returned, and (4) a telephone call after 3 months. Our main outcome was completion of FIT within 6 months of the due date. We also analyzed the proportion of the original 225 patients who were fully screened for CRC over the 2-year study period. RESULTS: A total of 88.7% of patients completed a FIT within 6 months of their second outreach. Over the 2 years since the first outreach, 71.6% of the 225 patients assigned to the intervention group were fully up to date on CRC screening, another 11.1% had been screened suboptimally, and 17.3% were inadequately screened or not screened. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to achieve high rates of CRC screening over a 2-year period for vulnerable populations using outreach with FIT as a primary strategy.

Comparative Effectiveness of Multifaceted Outreach to Initiate Colorectal Cancer Screening in Community Health Centers: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates are low among vulnerable populations. Fecal immunochemical tests (FITs) are one screening modality with few barriers. Studies have shown that outreach can improve CRC screening, but little is known about its effectiveness among individuals with no CRC screening history. We sought to determine whether outreach increases FIT uptake among patients with no CRC screening history compared to usual care. METHODS: This study was a patient-level randomized controlled trial, including 420 patients who had never completed CRC screening and were eligible for FIT; 66% were female, 62.1% were Latino, and 70.7% were uninsured. The main outcome measure was FIT completion within 6 months of the randomization date. We assessed FIT completion at different time points corresponding to receipt of outreach components. All analyses were re-run with 12-month data. RESULTS: Patients who received outreach were more likely to complete FIT than those in usual care (36.7% vs. 14.8%; p < 0.001). FIT completion was more common among patients with increased clinic visits. The difference in FIT completion between the outreach and usual care groups decreased over time. DISCUSSION: The intervention improved FIT uptake among patients with no CRC screening history. However, the intervention was less effective than in a previous trial targeting patients due for repeat screening. Additional research is needed to determine the best methods for improving CRC screening among this hard-to-reach group.

Design of a randomized controlled trial to assess the comparative effectiveness of a multifaceted intervention to improve adherence to colorectal cancer screening among patients cared for in a community health center.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is common and leads to significant morbidity and mortality. Although screening with fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) or endoscopy has been shown to decrease CRC mortality, screening rates remain suboptimal. Screening rates are particularly low for people with low incomes and members of underrepresented minority groups. FOBT should be done annually to detect CRC early and to reduce CRC mortality, but this often does not occur. This paper describes the design of a multifaceted intervention to increase long-term adherence to FOBT among poor, predominantly Latino patients, and the design of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to test the efficacy of this intervention compared to usual care. METHODS: In this RCT, patients who are due for repeat FOBT are identified in the electronic health record (EHR) and randomized to receive either usual care or a multifaceted intervention. The usual care group includes multiple point-of-care interventions (e.g., standing orders, EHR reminders), performance measurement, and financial incentives to improve CRC screening rates. The intervention augments usual care through mailed CRC screening test kits, low literacy patient education materials, automated phone and text message reminders, in-person follow up calls from a CRC Screening Coordinator, and communication of results to patients along with a reminder card highlighting when the patient is next due for screening. The primary outcome is completion of FOBT within 6 months of becoming due. DISCUSSION: The main goal of the study is to determine the comparative effectiveness of the intervention compared to usual care. Additionally, we want to assess whether or not it is possible to achieve high rates of adherence to CRC screening with annual FOBT, which is necessary for reducing CRC mortality. The intervention relies on technology that is increasingly widespread and declining in cost, including EHR systems, automated phone and text messaging, and FOBTs for CRC screening. We took this approach to ensure generalizability and allow us to rapidly disseminate the intervention through networks of community health centers (CHCs) if the RCT shows the intervention to be superior to usual care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01453894.

Understanding Black Patients' Refusal of Pneumococcal Vaccination.

OBJECTIVE: Racial disparities in rates of pneumococcal vaccine (PPSV23) exist. In one practice, 3.1 % of white patients refused PPSV23 following doctor recommendation, whereas 11.2 % of black patients refused vaccination. Our objective was to understand reasons black patients refused PPSV23. METHODS: Mixed-method telephone survey in 2012 of black patients aged ≥65 with a documented refusal of PPSV23. The survey assessed beliefs about PPSV23; reasons for non-receipt of PPSV23; receipt of other vaccinations; and comparative perceptions of adult vs. childhood vaccines. Participants responded to items on a Likert scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). RESULTS: Participants' (N = 40) mean age was 73 years; 95 % were female. Participants recognized pneumonia could be deadly (M = 4.3, SD = 1.0), but reported low levels of personal susceptibility (M = 2.8, SD = 1.4). Participants perceived childhood vaccines to be safer (M = 4.2, SD = 1.2) than adult vaccines (M = 3.4, SD = 1.4; p < 0.01). Qualitative analyses to understand reasons for refusal of vaccine both reinforced identified low perceptions of personal susceptibility as well as identified numerous additional barriers to receipt of PPSV23 (e.g., fear, side effects, and mistrust). CONCLUSIONS: Black patients in our sample who refused PPSV23 may not perceive themselves susceptible to the disease, suggesting that strategies to improve PPSV23 rates among these patients may need to emphasize susceptibility to pneumonia. Further, given the discrepancies in perceptions toward childhood versus adult vaccinations, focusing on vaccination across the lifespan may be a promising vaccine promotion strategy.

Development and evaluation of a patient education video promoting pneumococcal vaccination.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop and refine a patient education video about pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccination (PPSV23) and to assess patient perceptions regarding video content and receipt of video during a clinic visit. METHODS: Focus groups were conducted to obtain patient feedback on a brief video focusing on personal susceptibility to pneumonia and highlighting the importance of both childhood and adult vaccines. Subsequently, interviews were conducted with patients ages 65 and 66 who were shown the revised video at an office visit. We assessed attitudes toward the video and perceptions about its presentation at the point of care. Participants responded to open-ended items as well as Likert-type items with responses from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). RESULTS: Focus group participants (n=26) had positive reactions to the video, but suggested reducing the intensity of messages about pneumonia severity. Participants (n=73) shown the revised video during a clinic visit perceived it to be easy to understand (M=4.83, SD=0.58) and informative (M=4.8, SD=0.75). CONCLUSION: Target audience feedback helped refine a video promoting PPSV23 vaccination; the video was well received by patients. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: This video may be an effective educational tool to increase rates of PPSV23 vaccination.

Comparative effectiveness of a multifaceted intervention to improve adherence to annual colorectal cancer screening in community health centers: a randomized clinical trial.

IMPORTANCE: Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates are lower among Latinos and people living in poverty. Fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) is one recommended screening modality that may overcome cost and access barriers. However, the ability of FOBT to reduce CRC mortality depends on high rates of adherence to annual screening. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a multifaceted intervention increases adherence to annual FOBT compared with usual care. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Patient-level randomized controlled trial conducted in a network of community health centers. Included were 450 patients who had previously completed a home FOBT from March 2011 through February 2012 and had a negative test result: 72% of participants were women; 87% were Latino; 83% stated that Spanish was their preferred language; and 77% were uninsured. INTERVENTIONS: Usual care at participating health centers included computerized reminders, standing orders for medical assistants to give patients home fecal immunochemical tests (FIT), and clinician feedback on CRC screening rates. The intervention group also received (1) a mailed reminder letter, a free FIT with low-literacy instructions, and a postage-paid return envelope; (2) an automated telephone and text message reminding them that they were due for screening and that a FIT was being mailed to them; (3) an automated telephone and text reminder 2 weeks later for those who did not return the FIT; and (4) personal telephone outreach by a CRC screening navigator after 3 months. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Completion of FOBT within 6 months of the date the patient was due for annual screening. RESULTS: Intervention patients were much more likely than those in usual care to complete FOBT (82.2% vs 37.3%; P < .001). Of the 185 intervention patients completing screening, 10.2% completed prior to their due date (intervention was not given), 39.6% within 2 weeks (after initial intervention), 24.0% within 2 to 13 weeks (after automated call/text reminder), and 8.4% between 13 and 26 weeks (after personal call). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This intervention greatly increased adherence to annual CRC screening; most screenings were achieved without personal calls. It is possible to improve annual CRC screening for vulnerable populations with relatively low-cost strategies that are facilitated by health information technologies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01453894.