Precision Patient Navigation to Improve Rates of Follow-up Colonoscopy, An Individual Randomized Effectiveness Trial

Colorectal cancer screening by annual fecal immunochemical test (FIT) with follow-up on abnormal results is a cost-effective strategy to reduce colorectal cancer incidence and mortality. Unfortunately, many patients with abnormal results do not complete a follow-up colonoscopy. We tested whether navigation targeted to patients who are unlikely to complete the procedure may improve adherence and long-term outcomes.

Study participants were patients at a large, integrated health system (Kaiser Permanente Northwest) who were ages 50 to 75 and were due for a follow-up colonoscopy after a recent abnormal FIT result. Probability of adherence to follow-up was estimated at baseline using a predictive risk model. Patients whose probability was 70% or lower were randomized to receive patient navigation or usual care, with randomization stratified by probability category (<50%, 50% < 60%, 60% < 65%, 65% ≤ 70%). We compared colonoscopy completion within 6 months between the navigation and usual care groups using Cox proportional hazards regression.

Participants (n = 415; 200 assigned to patient navigation, 215 to usual care) had a mean age of 62 years, 54% were female, and 87% were non-Hispanic white. By 6 months, 76% of the patient navigation group had completed a colonoscopy, compared with 65% of the usual care group (HR = 1.35; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-1.72; log-rank P value = 0.027).

In this randomized trial, patient navigation led to improvements in follow-up colonoscopy adherence.

More research is needed to assess the value of precision-directed navigation programs.