Shared decision-making may help eligible patients choose a colorectal cancer (CRC) screening option they can adhere to1
Experts in the field discuss proper shared decision-making, its benefits, and its impact on eligible patients.
Power of Shared Decision-Making
Listen to Dr Timothy Quinn discuss the positive impact of offering choice has had on CRC screening in his practice.
Screening acceptance
Involving your eligible patients in the decision-making process may help increase CRC screening acceptance.1
In a 2022 study, screening acceptance increased after implementing a shared decision-making process.1*3 steps to help eligible patients screen with the Cologuard® test2
Educate
patients about the importance of prioritizing CRC screening even if they have no symptoms or family history.
Engage
patients in shared decision-making by talking to them about the Cologuard test from the start.
Set Expectations
by discussing what the Cologuard test and Patient Navigation Program do and offer tips to help patients complete the test correctly.
CRC screening options
Utilize the CRC Screening Options Overview PDF during conversations with your eligible patients to help explain the importance of CRC screening and the options available to them.
A CRC screening protocol utilizing invasive and noninvasive options demonstrated better outcomes for eligible patients3
In a 15-year study, an integrated healthcare system established a multimodality approach for plan members aged 51 to 75 years that resulted in3†:
44%
point increase in CRC screening
26%
reduction in annual CRC incidence
52%
reduction in CRC mortality
In the randomized study of racially and ethnically diverse adults aged 50 to 79 years at average risk for CRC (n=997), healthcare providers presented eligible patients with CRC screening recommendations by one of the following methods.4
A colonoscopy-only approach resulted in 62% of eligible patients left unscreened in the first year.4
Adherence rates nearly doubled when 2 screening options were offered vs colonoscopy alone.4‡
Discover Cologuard adherence
View the Cologuard impact on CRC screening adherence within previously nonadherent patients.
The noninvasive impact
Discover the impact that noninvasive CRC screening can have for your eligible patients
| * | Study Objective: To increase CRC screening rates and to understand the impact on choice when options are presented in a balanced manner, a shared decision-making process was implemented to educate eligible patients on the benefits, risks, and harms of CRC screening. Patients were encouraged to choose the best option for themselves based on their understanding and preferences. Study Design: In a survey of 207 unique patients aged 50 to 75 years, primary care physicians implemented a consistent, balanced approach to educate patients on the characteristics and performance of recommended screening options. All clinicians included were provided the same shared decision-making information sheet and process that was developed by UnitedHealthcare in collaboration with practice leaders. Study Limitations: The patient population of this study was relatively small, drawing from 8 primary care offices. Findings may not be generalizable to patients not on Medicare Advantage or to patients outside of this geographic area (Denver, CO).1 |
| † | This study was performed using a dynamic cohort of Kaiser Permanente Northern California health plan members aged 51 to 75 years in urban, suburban, and semirural regions in California from 2000 to 2015. The initiative sought to, primarily through FIT or colonoscopy, screen all eligible patients by December 31 of each calendar year, starting the year they turned 51 through 75 years of age, in accordance with the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) measurement approach. Screening outreach included mail, secure email, and telephone reminders.3 |
| ‡ | FOBT-only adherence was not statistically different vs choice arm.4 |