Research Project Summary
There are more than 20 million Americans eligible for colorectal screenings who have not been screened. The American Cancer Society estimates that colorectal cancers (CRC) will result in the death of 52,550 people in 2023. The incidence of colorectal cancer is highest among Black men & women, and the difference in mortality rate is larger. CRC is the 3rd most commonly diagnosed cancer in NJ. Providers, navigators, and support staff are a critical component of the screening process for colorectal cancer. Raz et al. (2018) suggest that educational training for healthcare providers may improve adherence to recommendations. This project is a multi-level improvement study designed to increase the number of colorectal screenings of high-risk, eligible patients at selected clinical sites in Southern New Jersey- Salem and Cumberland counties.
Research Project Goals
This project will expand on the research from a previous pilot study funded by Screen NJ and in partnership with Inspira Health, a health system serving Cumberland and Salem Counties. The prior study focused on the impact of patient navigation & lung cancer screenings at Inspira sites in those two counties, found screening rate disparities among individuals of color, and emphasized the critical need for innovative programs that address barriers to early lung cancer screenings (publication pending). In this study, we will look at the impact of patient navigation and provider education on CRC screening completion rates, and the screening barriers among minority populations including Black, Hispanic/Latino, Nanticoke-Lenni Lenape, undocumented, uninsured, low-income, and language barriers. Southern NJ counties, including Cumberland and Salem, rank highest in the Area Deprivation Index and also have lower cancer screening rates and higher obesity prevalence. Cumberland and Salem counties also rank among NJ’s most rural where healthcare service delivery is challenging and health status ranks among the poorest in the State. Results from the prior study showed that evidence-based lung cancer screening training for providers and support staff is effective in increasing screenings among high-risk eligible patients. More importantly, results indicated the intervention increased patient-provider discussions of lung cancer screenings for high-risk eligible patients at the study sites.
Research Project Objectives
The aim of this study is threefold: 1) conduct annual colorectal training with providers to ensure resources are provided to patients (such as fit kits) and increase providers’ knowledge and understanding of colorectal cancer screening eligibility; 2) see if providing education to providers and support staff will result in improved workflow processes and increased colorectal cancer screening; 3) gather patient perspectives around access and barriers to colorectal cancer screenings.