Interactive voice response telephone calls to enhance bone mineral density testing

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Medical Informatics

Background:

• Osteoporosis diagnosis and management rely heavily on bone mineral density (BMD) testing.
• Identifying and encouraging at-risk populations to undergo BMD testing remains a challenge in healthcare.
• Health plans seek effective methods to promote essential diagnostic screenings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of interactive voice response (IVR) calls in prompting health plan members at risk for osteoporosis to schedule BMD tests.
• To assess the rate of BMD test scheduling following an IVR intervention.
• To identify predictors of scheduling a BMD test after an IVR call.

Main Methods:

• A cohort study design was employed.
• Participants included individuals aged 45+ with a prior fracture or 90-day glucocorticoid use, and all women aged 65+.
• An IVR call delivered educational content and offered a transfer to schedule a BMD test.

Main Results:

• Out of 1402 targeted members, 708 (50%) were contacted. Only 3 out of 54 members who transferred actually scheduled a BMD test.
• Self-reported intention to schedule was the only significant predictor of transfer (OR=4.4).
• Factors like age, sex, prior fracture, previous BMD testing, perceived barriers, and physician discussion did not predict transfer.

Conclusions:

• A combined approach using letters and IVR calls resulted in a low rate of BMD test scheduling.
• Current interventions are insufficient to significantly increase BMD testing among at-risk populations.
• Development and testing of novel interventions are necessary to enhance osteoporosis screening rates.