Tailored information increases patient/physician discussion of colon cancer risk and testing: The Cancer Risk Intake System trial

Abstract

Assess whether receipt of tailored printouts generated by the Cancer Risk Intake System (CRIS) – a touch-screen computer program that collects data from patients and generates printouts for patients and physicians – results in more reported patient-provider discussions about colorectal cancer (CRC) risk and screening than receipt of non-tailored information.Cluster-randomized trial, randomized by physician, with data collected via CRIS prior to visit and 2-week follow-up telephone survey among 623 patients.Patients aged 25–75 with upcoming primary-care visits and eligible for, but currently non-adherent to CRC screening guidelines.Patient-reported discussions with providers about CRC risk and testing.Tailored recipients were more likely to report patient-physician discussions about personal and familial risk, stool testing, and colonoscopy (all p < 0.05). Tailored recipients were more likely to report discussions of: chances of getting cancer (+10%); family history (+15%); stool testing (+9%); and colonoscopy (+8%) (all p < 0.05).CRIS is a promising strategy for facilitating discussions about testing in primary-care settings. Keywords: Colorectal neoplasms, Mass screening, Physician-patient relations, Health behavior, Tailoring