A study, published in SpringerLink, examined seven different patient interventions to see which one was most effective in encouraging patients to complete a fecal immunochemical test.
Gloria Coronado, PhD, of Kaiser Permanente Northwest in Portland, Ore., and colleagues conducted a patient-randomized controlled trial of 2,772 adults between the ages of 50 and 75 years, who were behind with colorectal cancer screening recommendations.
Researchers mailed an introductory letter and a FIT test to each patient. If the patient didn't complete the test within three weeks they received either:
- A reminder letter
- Two automated phone calls
- Two text messages
- A live phone call
- A reminder letter and a live phone call
- Two automated phone calls and a live phone call
- Two text messages and a live phone call
Patients with patient portal accounts received two emailed reminders but were not randomized.
Here's what they found:
1. Approximately 255 participants returned the test within the designated three weeks.
2. Among the remaining 2,010 patients, an additional 25.5 percent returned their tests after the reminders were delivered.
3. Return rates were higher for groups that received live phone calls, and lower for the text message groups.
Researchers concluded, "Our data suggest that FIT reminders that included a live call were more effective than reminders that relied solely on written communication."