scholarly journals Using Clinical Prompts in General Practice to Increase Participation in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program: A Case Study Protocol

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 52s-52s
Author(s):  
S. Lee ◽  
B. Bowring ◽  
A. Cooper ◽  
M. Gardiner
Keyword(s):  
General Practice ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Screening Program ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Bowel Cancer ◽  
Screening Programs ◽  
Screening Participation ◽  
Cancer Screening Program ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Bowel Cancer Screening

Background: One in 12 Australians is expected to develop bowel cancer by age 85. Over 90% of bowel cancers can be successfully treated if detected early yet participation rates in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) are currently only 39%. Research shows that general practitioner (GP) recommendation is a key predictor for bowel cancer screening uptake. However the current NBCSP invitation system does not involve GPs, making it difficult for them to know when a patient has received a test kit in the mail, and in turn play a role in screening behavior. Research suggests that GP point-of-care clinical prompts, encouraging GPs to discuss screening with their patients, can increase fecal occult blood testing. Such a ´reminder´ system is integral to other screening programs in Australia, however no such system exists for the NBCSP. The George Town Medical Centre located in rural Tasmania, has recently implemented a reminder prompt for bowel cancer screening as part of its standard clinical practice. This paper describes the protocol used to implement and evaluate this service. Aim: Our research aims to determine whether a clinical prompt delivered to GPs at point-of-care, can increase bowel cancer screening participation in patients attending a rural Tasmanian general practice. Secondary aims include assessing GP and patient attitudes toward the prompt and determining socio-demographic differences in the effect of the prompt on screening participation. Methods: The clinical prompt was implemented in January 2018. Active patients turning 50 (n=106), 60 (n=141) or 70 (n=103) in 2018 were eligible to receive the prompt. The prompt was created within the practice management software and associated with each eligible patient's file. GPs were provided with information on the NBCSP as well as resources to support their conversation with patients including a sample kit. The number of patients with whom the GP discussed screening and the number of patients who completed a kit will be collected after 12 months. Screening rates of patients eligible for the prompt will be compared with patients turning 54, 64 and 74 in 2018, controlling for potential covariates including age, gender and socioeconomic status. Interviews with all GPs (n=10) and a minimum of 10 patients will be conducted to gain an understanding of attitudes toward the prompt. Results: To date the prompt has been successfully integrated into the practice and GPs have begun encouraging patients to use their NBCSP kits. Attitudes of GPs and patients toward the prompt and preliminary data on kit usage will also be presented. Conclusion: A clinical prompt in general practice may be a simple and cost effective way to increase participation in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. The findings from this study will have implications for the program in terms of engaging GPs in the screening invitation process. The results will further be used to inform a pilot study in Tasmania.

Prevalence of FOB testing in eastern-Australian general practice patients: what has a national bowel cancer screening program delivered?

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine L. Paul ◽  
Mariko L. Carey ◽  
Grant Russell ◽  
Cate D'Este ◽  
Rob W. Sanson-Fisher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Practice ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Screening Program ◽  
Bowel Cancer ◽  
Cancer Screening Program ◽  
Australian General Practice ◽  
Bowel Cancer Screening

scholarly journals Impact of a mass media campaign on participation in the Australian bowel cancer screening program

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-24
Author(s):  
Sarah Durkin ◽  
Kate Broun ◽  
Nicola Guerin ◽  
Belinda Morley ◽  
Melanie Wakefield
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Mass Media ◽  
Screening Program ◽  
Bowel Cancer ◽  
Mass Media Campaign ◽  
Media Campaign ◽  
Screening Participation ◽  
Cancer Screening Program ◽  
Bowel Cancer Screening ◽  
Cancer Screening Participation

Objective To examine the effect of a mass media campaign designed to increase bowel cancer screening participation. Methods We assessed weekly participation, from January 2015 to December 2017, in the Australian National Bowel Cancer Screening Program in Victoria, where a seven-week campaign aired in mid-2017, and in the adjacent comparison state of South Australia. Participation, defined as the number of immunochemical faecal occult blood tests returned out of those invited by the Screening Program in the past 16 weeks, was analysed using negative binomial regression. Results Compared with non-campaign weeks, there was an increase in the return rate in the campaign state during campaign weeks (adjusted return rates non-campaign weeks = 34.4% vs. campaign weeks = 45.3%, p < 0.01), not observed in the comparison state (38.3% vs. 40.3%, p > 0.05). The increase in the return rate was significantly greater in the campaign state (Rate Ratio of Campaign/Non-Campaign weeks = 1.31, p < 0.01) than the comparison state (1.05, p > 0.05, interaction p < 0.001), and did not differ significantly by age, sex or socio-economic area. The relative increase was greater among never-participants (Rate Ratio of Campaign/Non-Campaign weeks = 1.24) than previous-participants (1.16), interaction p < 0.001). Conclusions This mass media campaign increased bowel cancer screening participation, including from never and low participation subgroups. To maximize participation and ensure equitable population benefit, repeated campaigns that reach eligible people about bowel cancer risks and potential life-saving benefits of screening should be standard.

scholarly journals Patients’ views on involving general practice in bowel cancer screening: a South Australian focus group study

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. e035244
Author(s):  
Lynsey Brown ◽  
Cecilia Moretti ◽  
Leigh Roeger ◽  
Richard Reed
Keyword(s):  
General Practice ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Screening Program ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Bowel Cancer ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Screening Process ◽  
Cancer Screening Program ◽  
Bowel Cancer Screening

ObjectivesTo explore patients’ experiences of bowel cancer screening and its promotion, and perspectives on possible input from general practice for improving screening rates.DesignQualitative focus group study underpinned by a phenomenological approach.SettingThree general practice clinics in metropolitan South Australia.ParticipantsThirty active general practice patients, aged 50–74 years (60% female) who were eligible for the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.FindingsFactors affecting screening were described, with particular concerns regarding the nature of the test, screening process and culture. There were mixed views on the role for general practice in bowel cancer screening; some participants appreciated the current process and viewed screening as out of scope of primary care services, while others were in support of general practice involvement. Roles for general practice were proposed that comprised actions across the continuum from providing information through to reminders and the provision and collection of screening kits. With a view that multifaceted strategies are required to encourage participation, community-based solutions were suggested that centred on improving screening culture and education.ConclusionsThere was a view among participants that general practice could play a useful role in supporting the uptake of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, however participants saw a need for multiple strategies at different levels and under different jurisdictions.

scholarly journals Bowel Cancer Screening Participation in Rural Tasmania: A Comparative Case Study of Four Local Government Areas

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 14s-14s
Author(s):  
A. Cooper ◽  
S. Lee ◽  
T. Barnett
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Screening Program ◽  
Bowel Cancer ◽  
Participation Rates ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Screening Participation ◽  
Cancer Screening Program ◽  
Bowel Cancer Screening

Background: Bowel cancer is a preventable condition, yet it is the second most common cancer after prostate cancer, with one in 12 Australians developing the disease by age 85. If detected early, the chances of survival are very high. One way to detect bowel cancer before it becomes a problem is through the use of a screening kit. The Australian government has distributed free kits to specific age groups since 2006, through their National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP). Participation in the NBCSP is currently quite low (39% Australia-wide). In Tasmania, participation rates among local government areas (LGAs) range from 28% to 47%. These differences in participation are especially apparent in rural and remote areas and form the focus of this research. Aim: Our research aims to determine why there are marked differences in National Bowel Cancer Screening Program participation rates between rural LGAs in Tasmania. Secondary aims include developing future strategies for increased screening uptake in rural Tasmania. Method: A total of four LGAs, identified as having either high (n=2) or low (n=2) NBCSP participation rates, were included in the study. Face to face interviews with community members and stakeholders across the four LGAs were recorded and transcribed to obtain qualitative data. A total of 50 male and female community members aged 50-75 were recruited and interviewed regardless of whether they had used the NBCSP kit. A total of 28 health professionals including doctors, pharmacists, nurses and health promotion officers, working in each of the four LGAs were also interviewed. All interviews were recorded and transcribed. Thematic analysis was conducted to elucidate common barriers and enablers for screening, as well as suggestions for increasing NBCSP participation rates in Tasmania. Demographic data including age, gender, and educational attainment were collected from community members to further identify potential associations with screening participation. Results: All interviews have been successfully completed and transcribed, and thematic analysis has begun. Themes emerging from the data to date include the importance of community connectedness; the role of women in encouraging men to screen; health literacy; new/transient versus established/stable communities; and access to follow-up colonoscopies. Final results will be available shortly and presented in full. Conclusion: The findings from this study will highlight differences and reasons for screening participation in four rural Tasmanian LGAs. The results will have implications for the NBCSP in terms of recommendations for increasing participation in the program.

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