Effectively Communicating Colorectal Cancer Screening Information to Primary Care Providers: Application for State, Tribe or Territory Comprehensive Cancer Control Coalitions

Patients are more likely to be screened for colorectal cancer if it is recommended by a health care provider. Therefore, it is imperative that providers have access to the latest screening guidelines.

This practice-based project sought to identify Kentucky primary care providers' preferred sources and methods of receiving colorectal cancer information to improve state comprehensive cancer control provider outreach initiatives.

Four focus groups were conducted with primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. Discussion included preferred sources and methods of receiving updated screening guidelines, legislation, and statewide public awareness campaign materials.

Providers (N = 17) identified their preferred methods for receiving colorectal cancer information as: routine emails from trusted sources (colleagues, professional societies and research, and advocacy agencies), scientific journals, existing conferences, and the media.

When delivering colorectal cancer information to primary care providers, multiple approaches are needed. An ideal partner for dissemination of information is state comprehensive cancer control coalitions, considering their prioritization of colorectal cancer screening and existing networks of partners who were identified as trusted sources.

Assessment of primary care providers' preferred methods and sources of receiving colorectal cancer information informs strategies for practice among comprehensive cancer control coalitions.