Key Findings:
- Personalized Information Impact: Older adults who received personalized information about the benefits and harms of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening were more likely to get screening orders that aligned with their individual benefit. This approach led to a reduction in the overall use of screening.
- Study Details: Conducted as an unmasked, randomized clinical trial, the study involved 431 older, average-risk adults at two U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs facilities. The intervention group received detailed, personalized information about screening benefits and harms, while the control group received general screening information.
- Screening Orders and Outcomes: The study found no significant difference in the percentage of screening orders between the intervention and control groups. However, in a prespecified interaction analysis, the intervention group had fewer screening orders in the lowest benefit quartile and more in the highest benefit quartile compared to the control group.
- Six-Month Follow-Up: After six months, a lower percentage of the intervention group had undergone screening compared to the control group.
Implications:
- Personalized Approach for Older Adults: The study emphasizes the importance of a personalized approach to CRC screening, especially for older patients who may have significant comorbidities.
- Aligning Screening with Benefit: Providing detailed, personalized information before a primary care visit can lead to more benefit-aligned screening orders and reduce unnecessary screening.
- Potential for Multilevel Intervention: The researchers suggest that a multilevel intervention, which includes personalized information, clinician education, and system-level support, could effectively align screening orders with screening benefits and decrease overall screening usage.
Conclusion: The study highlights the potential benefits of providing personalized information about CRC screening to older adults, suggesting that such an approach can lead to more appropriate and efficient use of screening resources.