Physician-Oriented Intervention on Follow-Up in Colorectal Cancer Screening

An Effective Practice

Description

This educational outreach program for primary care providers encourages physicians to recommend and perform complete diagnostic evaluation for colorectal cancer among patients with an abnormal screening fecal occult blood test (FOBT) result. Patients are mailed an FOBT kit annually as a part of a screening program, but not all patients with an abnormal result receive a complete diagnostic evaluation, which includes either a colonoscopy or combined flexible sigmoidoscopy plus barium enema X-ray. Provider education includes a presentation about colorectal cancer screening and the barriers to complete diagnostic evaluation. An internal chart audit is performed to determine whether complete diagnostic evaluations were conducted as needed, and participating providers receive a personalized letter about their audit results. In a follow-up phone call barriers to complete diagnostic evaluation are identified, and solutions to overcome barriers are discussed.

Goal / Mission

The goal of this program is to increase recommendation and performance rates of complete diagnostic evaluation for colorectal cancer in primary care practices.

Results / Accomplishments

The program was evaluated using a group randomized controlled trial comparing the intervention group with a control group that received only the FOBT screening program. The intervention group significantly increased the number of patients with an abnormal FOBT result receiving a recommendation for complete diagnostic evaluation, as compared to participants (OR = 2.28; 95% CI 1.37-3.78). The number of patients receiving a complete diagnostic evaluation increased significantly in the intervention group when compared to the control group (OR = 1.63; 95% CI 1.06-2.50).

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
Thomas Jefferson University Division of Genetic and Preventive Medicine
Primary Contact
Ronald Myers
Division of Genetic and Preventive Medicine
Department of Medicine
Thomas Jefferson University
1100 Walnut Street, Suite 400
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 403-9506
ron.myers@mail.tju.edu
http://www.jefferson.edu/jmc/
Topics
Health / Cancer
Health / Health Care Access & Quality
Health / Prevention & Safety
Organization(s)
Thomas Jefferson University Division of Genetic and Preventive Medicine
Source
Preventive Medicine
Date of publication
Apr 2004
Date of implementation
1998
Location
Pennsylvania & New Jersey
For more details
Target Audience
Adults