title: Evaluation of a patient navigation program to promote colorectal cancer screening in rural Georgia, USA.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Early detection through recommended screening has been shown to have favorable treatment outcomes, yet screening rates among the medically underserved and uninsured are low, particularly for rural and minority populations. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a patient navigation program that addresses individual and systemic barriers to CRC screening for patients at rural, federally qualified community health centers.
  
  
  METHODS
  This quasi-experimental evaluation compared low-income patients at average risk for CRC (n = 809) from 4 intervention clinics and 9 comparison clinics. We abstracted medical chart data on patient demographics, CRC history and risk factors, and CRC screening referrals and examinations. Outcomes of interest were colonoscopy referral and examination during the study period and being compliant with recommended screening guidelines at the end of the study period. We conducted multilevel logistic analyses to evaluate the program's effectiveness.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients at intervention clinics were significantly more likely than patients at comparison clinics to undergo colonoscopy screening (35% versus 7%, odds ratio = 7.9, P < .01) and be guideline-compliant on at least one CRC screening test (43% versus 11%, odds ratio = 5.9, P < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patient navigation, delivered through the Community Cancer Screening Program, can be an effective approach to ensure that lifesaving, preventive health screenings are provided to low-income adults in a rural setting.
authors.affiliation: Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. shoneyc@emory.edu
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Honeycutt
authors.forename: Rhonda
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ballard
authors.forename: April
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hermstad
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brueder
authors.forename: Regine
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Haardörfer
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yam
authors.forename: Kimberly J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Arriola
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D062526:Patient Navigation / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D015397:Program Evaluation
keywords: cancer screening; colonoscopy; colorectal cancer; community health centers; community health workers; program evaluation; rural health