Grant Details
Grant Number: |
5R01CA233848-06 Interpret this number |
Primary Investigator: |
James, Aimee |
Organization: |
Washington University |
Project Title: |
Implementing Multilevel Colon Cancer Screening Interventions to Reduce Rural Cancer Disparities |
Fiscal Year: |
2024 |
Abstract
PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Many rural communities are medically underserved and experience persistently elevated rates of colorectal
cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality relative to declining national rates. Routine screening reduces population
CRC mortality, yet its impact is reduced because many adults who have an abnormal screening result with
fecal testing do not receive diagnostic follow-up with colonoscopy. Rural residents and healthcare providers
face unique barriers to screening follow-up including fewer providers who offer colonoscopy and longer travel
distances to obtain healthcare. Rural Southern Illinois is a region with high poverty, slow economic growth,
isolated households, widely dispersed medical care, and high CRC mortality. To reduce disparities in CRC
mortality in rural areas where fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) is a common first-line screening strategy, we
must identify effective, sustainable, and disseminable strategies to improve follow-up of positive screening
tests. Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have collaborated with Southern Illinois
Healthcare, a rural not-for-profit health system, since 2015 to identify cancer prevention and control priorities
and reduce disparities. From 2017 to 2018, we conducted a formal pre-implementation assessment of CRC
screening and follow-up processes to identify feasible and promising evidence-based interventions and
strategies for improvement. Based on our substantial and specific preliminary data, we propose the following
Aims: Aim 1. Implement a multilevel intervention of follow-up of abnormal colon cancer screening tests
in primary care clinics across rural Southern Illinois. Using a stepped wedge trial design and cluster
randomization, we will implement the multi-level intervention in 18 clinics. We will intervene at three levels
(patients, providers/clinical teams, clinics) and evaluate implementation outcomes per Proctor's evaluation
model using interviews, surveys, and field notes. Aim 2. Evaluate the impact of the multilevel intervention
on follow-up of abnormal screening test results in rural primary care settings in Southern Illinois. Our
stepped-wedge design will allow us to test the impact of the multi-level intervention on rates of screening
follow-up. We measure outcomes at three levels. Patient: After positive FIT, receipt of referral and completion
of colonoscopy. Primary Care Provider: Receipt of positive FIT results and referral for follow-up. Clinic-level:
Patients with positive FIT complete colonoscopy. We will assess change in CRC screening rates and
investigate interactions between and across levels. Data for primary outcomes will come from the healthcare
system's ongoing patient registry that draws from electronic medical records and lab records. The co-
construction of this proposal between university researchers and health system stakeholders enhances the
potential for significant and sustainable change for effective and efficient screening and early detection. There
is a critical need for real-world strategies that can function within rural community health systems to improve
health and reduce disparities.
Publications
An overview of optimal designs under a given budget in cluster randomized trials with a binary outcome.
Authors: Liu J.
, Liu L.
, James A.S.
, Colditz G.A.
.
Source: Statistical Methods In Medical Research, 2023 Jul; 32(7), p. 1420-1441.
EPub date: 2023-06-07 00:00:00.0.
PMID: 37284817
Related Citations
Distance and Transportation Barriers to Colorectal Cancer Screening in a Rural Community.
Authors: Lee K.M.N.
, Hunleth J.
, Rolf L.
, Maki J.
, Lewis-Thames M.
, Oestmann K.
, James A.S.
.
Source: Journal Of Primary Care & Community Health, 2023 Jan-Dec; 14, p. 21501319221147126.
PMID: 36594346
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