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Updated: May 31, 2026
E-Patient Counseling Trial (E-PACO): Computer Based Education versus Nurse Counseling for Patients to Prepare for Colonoscopy
Published on: August 1, 2019
A randomized questionnaire-based study on the impact of providing numerical information on colorectal cancer
Imran M Patanwala1, Victoria Brocklebank, Janet Inglis
1Department of Medicine, Darlington Memorial Hospital , Darlington, UK DL3 6HX.
Objectives:
To establish whether the provision of numerical data using pictograms and framed as event rates affects subjects' attitudes to colorectal cancer (CRC) screening.
Design:
Randomized questionnaire and telephone study comparing a control group given standard NHS CRC information leaflets with an intervention group given the same leaflet but enhanced with additional numerical and pictorial information.
Setting:
District General hospital and two general practices in North East England. Study carried out immediately prior to the introduction of CRC screening.
Participants:
A total of 478 non-gastroenterological subjects (age range 60-70 years).
Main Outcome Measures:
The difference in the two groups' overall wish to be screened; comparison of the impact of enhanced vs. unenhanced summary points in the NHS information leaflet; the summary point that most influenced their decision on screening; the views of the intervention group on the additional numerical and pictorial information provided.
Results:
A total of 256 (54%) responded (124 from the control group and 117 from the intervention group); 22% were interviewed by telephone; 90% of the control group and 85% of the intervention group wished to be screened (P = 0.34). Provision of numerical and pictorial information significantly changed the impact of five of the six summary points on the decision to be screened. Sixty-two percent of the intervention group found the pictograms helpful while 83% of those interviewed by telephone found the numerical data helpful; 73% of the control group when given by telephone the additional numerical information given to the intervention group said this would have been useful in aiding their decision-making.
Conclusion:
Providing additional numerical information would enhance the credibility of the screening programme without necessarily reducing the numbers screened.
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