Multilevel Interventions to Improve Colorectal Cancer Screening in an Urban Native American Community: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial

Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2024 Aug;22(8):1744-1746.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2024.01.044. Epub 2024 Feb 15.

Abstract

Native Americans have the highest burden of colorectal cancer (CRC) and the lowest rates of CRC screening across the United States.1 The disparities in CRC screening were made worse during the pandemic, creating an unmet need to implement evidence-based, multilevel interventions to improve CRC screening uptake. This can be achieved through an organized outreach program with identification of screen-eligible individuals using health records from the clinic; and a screening program with the following: (1) a mailed invitation, (2) a package of materials so patients can complete a fecal immunochemical test (FIT) kit from their homes, (3) reminder calls and a letter, and (4) navigation to a diagnostic colonoscopy.2-5 We conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial of a program of outreach vs usual care for completion of CRC screening at an urban clinic serving the Native American community. Applying the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR),6 we also conducted patient and provider interviews to understand barriers and facilitators to the organized program and CRC screening in general.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Colorectal Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Early Detection of Cancer* / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Indians, North American*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Occult Blood
  • Pilot Projects
  • United States
  • Urban Population*