Several screening methods exist to screen patients for CRC ranging from invasive (i.e., colonoscopy) to less invasive (i.e., testing the stool for blood). Although choice between screening methods is recommended, patients are not currently offered an unbiased choice and physicians generally recommend only colonoscopy. In this project, the investigators will answer the following questions: 1) Is it feasible to incorporate a DA in the AHP protocol?; 2) Is it feasible to incorporate mailing patients a stool blood test?; 3) Does the DA change CRC screening decision quality, using proxy measures such as knowledge and intent; and 4) Does the DA change the proportion of participants that complete a CRC screening test? To answer these questions the investigators will compare survey responses and CRC test type completed between two AHP CRC surveillance patients groups - those that received usual care versus those that received the DA.
At the University of Colorado Hospital primary care clinics, only 59% of eligible patients are up to date with current colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. This is below the national average of 65% and well below the healthy people 2020 goal of 70.5%. Several screening methods exist to screen patients for CRC ranging from invasive (i.e., colonoscopy) to less invasive (i.e., testing the stool for blood). Although choice between screening methods is recommended, patients are not currently offered an unbiased choice and physicians generally recommend only colonoscopy. Further, the investigators know from research that choice increases screening rates. Unfortunately, many people do not follow through when only colonoscopy is offered. However, participants in one study were nearly twice as likely to be screened if they were offered a choice between colonoscopy and fecal occult blood testing rather than being offered colonoscopy alone. Thus, in this project, the investigators aim to examine the feasibility of incorporating a patient decision aid (DA) for patients in CRC screening surveillance with the Ambulatory Health Promotion (AHP) using a pre/post design. The investigators will answer the following questions: 1) Is it feasible to incorporate a DA in the AHP protocol?; 2) Is it feasible to incorporate mailing patients a stool blood test?; 3) Does the DA change CRC screening decision quality, using proxy measures such as knowledge and intent; and 4) Does the DA change the proportion of participants that complete a CRC screening test? To answer these questions the investigators will compare survey responses and CRC test type completed between two AHP CRC surveillance patients groups - those that received usual care versus those that received the DA.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SCREENING
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
424
Paper decision aid describing different screening options for colon cancer
Patients overdue for colon cancer screening are contacted and outreach is performed in an effort to schedule colonoscopy
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Aurora, Colorado, United States
Colon Cancer Screening Intent
Measured using a survey instrument to assess intent
Time frame: 6 months
Colon Cancer Screening Completed
Measured through retrospective chart reviews to check for completed screening
Time frame: 6 Months
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