Observational study to evaluate the impact of internet reminders for GPs on colorectal cancer screening uptake in Northern Italy in 2013.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide and CRC-related mortality can be effectively reduced by population-based screening. Screening uptake is a key indicator of performance, susceptible of several implementation methods. Participation in ASL Milano 1 area (northern Italy) is increasing thanks to reminder invitation sent to non-responders. Here we evaluate the implementation of another strategy among those proved to be effective.



In the years 2013-2014 we conducted an observational study in patients non-responder to first invitation and subsequent mailed reminder. A list of them was sent to their own GP, who had the task to evaluate possible exclusion criteria and make a reminder, either by personal interview, telephone call or via e-mail. Intervention could be conducted either by the GP himself or by an assistant. Primary outcomes were to assess the overall efficacy of the intervention and the efficacy of its single features (type of intervention and provider), measuring the consequent uptake of CRC screening.



Participation in CRC screening was significantly higher (33,5%) in patients who received a reminder from GP, regardless of the type, vs those who did not (19,0%, p < 0.01). No statistically significant difference was detected either by method or by provider of the intervention.



The results of our study demonstrate that even a modest intervention can have a significant effect in improving compliance to screening for CRC, one of the cancers with highest incidence in developed countries, for which an effective treatment is available in case of early diagnosis.
Public Health, Department of Biomedical Health Sciences, University of Milano, Italy.
E
E
Gabrielli
Public Health, Department of Biomedical Health Sciences, University of Milano, Italy.
A J
AJ
Bastiampillai
Public Health, Department of Biomedical Health Sciences, University of Milano, Italy.
M
M
Pontello
Milano 1 Local Health Unit, Italy.
G
G
Beghi
Milano 1 Local Health Unit, Italy.
P
P
Ceresa
Milano 1 Local Health Unit, Italy.
M E
ME
Pirola
General Directorate of Health, Lombardy Region, Milan, Italy.
D
D
Cereda
D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D058005:General Practitioners; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D020407:Internet; D007558:Italy; D008403:Mass Screening; D009780:Occult Blood; D017010:Reminder Systems
Colorectal cancer; Reminder interventions; Screening uptake