Cost-effectiveness of a mailed educational reminder to increase colorectal cancer screening
Author Information
Author(s): Lee Jeffrey K, Groessl Erik J, Ganiats Theodore G, Ho Samuel B
Primary Institution: VA San Diego Healthcare System and University of California, San Diego
Hypothesis
The study aims to assess the costs and cost-effectiveness of a mailed educational reminder on fecal occult blood test (FOBT) adherence.
Conclusion
A simple mailed educational reminder increases FOBT card return rate at a cost many health care systems can afford.
Supporting Evidence
- A mailed educational reminder increased FOBT card return rate by 16.2%.
- The total cost of the intervention was $962, or $2.49 per patient.
- The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was $15 per additional person screened for CRC.
- At 6 months, 64.6% of patients in the intervention group returned FOBT cards compared to 48.4% in the control group.
Takeaway
Sending a reminder in the mail helps more people return their stool tests for colon cancer screening, and it doesn't cost much.
Methodology
A blinded, randomized, controlled trial where 769 patients were assigned to usual care or an intervention group receiving a mailed reminder.
Limitations
The study's sample was limited to U.S. Veteran patients from San Diego, California, which may affect generalizability.
Participant Demographics
The mean age was 63.1 years, predominantly male (96.3%), Caucasian (72.8%), with a significant portion having psychiatric disorders.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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