Related Experiment Videos
A general practice-based recruitment strategy for colorectal cancer screening
M A Harris1, J E Byles, J Cockburn
1Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Newcastle, New South Wales. mharris@cceb.newcastle.edu.au
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
|September 30, 2000
Summary
A general practitioner-based recruitment strategy significantly increased colorectal cancer screening requests among first-degree relatives. This approach shows promise for improving screening uptake in Australia.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Gastroenterology
- Preventive Medicine
Background:
- Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is crucial for early detection.
- First-degree relatives of CRC patients have an increased risk.
- Effective recruitment strategies are needed to improve CRC screening rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a general practitioner (GP)-based recruitment strategy for CRC screening in first-degree relatives.
- To assess the acceptability of this strategy among GPs and patients.
- To determine if the strategy increases screening requests by eligible relatives.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 30 GPs and 303 patients aged over 50 in Australia.
- Participants were first-degree relatives of individuals diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
- The study compared a GP-based recruitment strategy against a control group.
Main Results:
- The proportion of relatives requesting screening was significantly higher in the intervention group (18%) compared to the control group (4%) (p = 0.01).
- GP interest in the study was low, but involved GPs reported the strategy prompted relatives to discuss screening.
Conclusions:
- The GP-based recruitment strategy effectively prompted first-degree relatives to discuss and request colorectal cancer screening.
- The strategy's effectiveness may be enhanced by combining it with other interventions, such as media campaigns.
- Findings are potentially generalizable to feasibility studies for general population CRC screening in Australia and informative for public health practice.