title: A randomized controlled trial of a tailored interactive computer-delivered intervention to promote colorectal cancer screening: sometimes more is just the same.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There have been few studies of tailored interventions to promote colorectal cancer (CRC) screening.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We conducted a randomized trial of a tailored, interactive intervention to increase CRC screening.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients 50-70 years completed a baseline survey, were randomized to one of three groups, and attended a wellness exam after being exposed to a tailored intervention about CRC screening (tailored group), a public web site about CRC screening (web site group), or no intervention (survey-only group). The primary outcome was completion of any recommended CRC screening by 6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no statistically significant difference in screening by 6 months: 30%, 31%, and 28% of the survey-only, web site, and tailored groups were screened. Exposure to the tailored intervention was associated with increased knowledge and CRC screening self-efficacy at 2 weeks and 6 months. Family history, prior screening, stage of change, and physician recommendation moderated the intervention effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A tailored intervention was not more effective at increasing screening than a public web site or only being surveyed.
authors.affiliation: Division of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Sally.W.Vernon@uth.tmc.edu
authors.forename: Sally W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Vernon
authors.forename: Leona K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Bartholomew
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McQueen
authors.forename: Judy L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Bettencourt
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Greisinger
authors.forename: Sharon P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Coan
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lairson
authors.forename: Wenyaw
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: S T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Hawley
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Myers
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods*; D054626:Consumer Health Information / Q000379:methods*; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*