Does evidenced-based information affect patient choice in colorectal cancer screening?

January 01, 0001

Does evidenced-based information affect patient choice in colorectal cancer screening?

These German researchers whether evidence based information on risks with colorectal cancer screening affected the patients choice in screening. They performed a randomised controlled trial of patients aged 50- 75 with no history of colon cancer (n=1577) via a statutory health insurance scheme. with 6 months’ follow-up. Enrollees were randomized to either an evidenced based brocher and two optional online modules verus an information leaflet from the German colorectal cancer screening program. Knowledge and attitude were assessed at 6 weeks and screening after 6 months.

The researchers found: "The response rate for return of both questionnaires was 92.4% (n=1457). 345/785 (44.0%) participants in the intervention group made an informed choice, compared with 101/792 (12.8%) in the control group (difference 31.2). More intervention group participants had "good knowledge" (59.6% (n=468) v 16.2% (128), difference 43.5%). A "positive attitude" towards colorectal screening prevailed in both groups but was significantly lower in the intervention group (93.4% (733) v 96.5% (764), difference -3.1%). The intervention had no effect on the combination of actual and planned uptake (72.4% (568) v 72.9% (577))."

The researchers concluded: "Evidence based risk information on colorectal cancer screening increased informed choices and improved knowledge, with little change in attitudes. The intervention did not affect the combination of actual and planned uptake of screening."

While providing evidence based information on colorectal cancer improved patients sense of being informed, it did not affect rates of cancer screening.

For the full abstract, click here.

BMJ 342:d3193, 2 June 2011 © 2011 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.
Effect of evidence based risk information on "informed choice" in colorectal cancer screening: randomised controlled trial. Anke Steckelberg, Christian Hülfenhaus, Burkhard Haastert, Ingrid Mühlhauser. Correspondence to A Steckelberg: [email protected]

Category: D. Digestive. Keywords: cancer, colon, colorectal, screening, informed consent, randomized controlled trial, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Paul Schaefer, Toledo, Ohio. Posted on Global Family Doctor 28 June 2011

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