title: Interactive voice response reminder effects on preventive service utilization.
abstract: This study evaluated the effects of interactive voice response (IVR) system reminders to managed care organization (MCO) members to obtain mammograms, Papanicolaou (Pap) tests, and influenza immunizations. The MCO identified 3 member cohorts and sent IVR reminders to get preventive services. Analyses employed claims data to examine relationships between IVR reminders and preventive service use 5 to 9 months post-intervention among members without prior utilization. Multivariate logistic regressions controlling for age, gender (for influenza immunizations), and risk stratum confirmed hypothesized relationships between intervention and preventive services: mammograms, odds ratio (OR) = 1.263 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.104, 1.444); Pap tests, OR = 1.241 (1.107, 1.391); influenza immunizations, OR = 2.072 (1.665, 2.580). IVR reminders are associated with higher rates of mammograms, Pap tests, and influenza immunizations. Study limitations include unknown generalizability of results and possible self-selection. There is justification for more IVR interventions and research to enhance MCO members' preventive service utilization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Policy, Jefferson Medical College, 1015 Walnut Street, Suite 115, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. albert.crawford@jefferson.edu
authors.forename: Albert G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Crawford
authors.forename: Vanja
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sikirica
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Goldfarb
authors.forename: Richard G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Popiel
authors.forename: Minalkumar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Cheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jeffrey B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: David B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Nash
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008327:Mammography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D015143:Philadelphia; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017010:Reminder Systems; D049250:Speech Recognition Software; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000706:statistics & numerical data