Effective General Practice-Led Interventions to Increase Uptake in Colorectal Cancer Screening: A Scoping Review.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Preventive Medicine
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Primary care, particularly general practice, is crucial for public health.
• General practice settings are effective for increasing participation in organized colorectal cancer (CRC) screening programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review evidence on interventions to increase CRC screening participation.
• To evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of general practice-led interventions using systematic reviews with meta-analyses (SRMAs) and randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Main Methods:

• A scoping review involving an umbrella review of SRMAs and a review of RCTs.
• Searched MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycInfo databases (May 2016-August 2023).
• Assessed intervention effectiveness and implementation strategies using established frameworks and taxonomies.

Main Results:

• Fifteen SRMAs and 12 RCTs were included, examining individual, primary care, and population-level interventions.
• Patient reminders, risk assessment tools, and kit outreach interventions showed effectiveness in improving CRC screening participation.
• Multicomponent interventions show promise, but none of the RCTs explicitly detailed implementation strategies.

Conclusions:

• Individual, primary care, and population-level interventions, potentially combined, can enhance CRC screening.
• A significant gap exists in documented implementation strategies needed for intervention adaptation and sustainability.
• Future research should focus on mobilizing general practice for CRC screening promotion, integrating targeted implementation strategies for real-world success.