Improving Systems for Colorectal Cancer Screening

OBJECTIVES:

Primary

• Determine whether rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening can be increased among average-risk adults by using patient-specific, active, electronic, clinical reminders for primary care physicians during office visits and mailed reminders and fecal occult blood test cards for patients.

Secondary

• Calculate baseline rates of CRC screening, in terms of patient demographic characteristics, primary care physician, and practice group, by using computerized clinical information systems to identify patients due for screening.
• Assess baseline rates of CRC screening among patients insured by different health plans.
• Determine whether the impact of the interventions is related to efforts by health plans to promote CRC screening.
• Evaluate patients' willingness to use a validated web-based tool to estimate their personal risk of CRC.