Colorectal Cancer Screening
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, even though in the majority of cases it is a preventable disease.
Early detection markedly improves the chances for survival by removing pre-cancerous polyps or detecting the disease early enough for the best possible treatment outcome. As noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, if every individual aged 50 or older had regular screening tests, as many as 60% of deaths from colorectal cancer could be prevented.
Research on average-risk adults has identified lack of physician recommendation for screening, as the greatest barrier to obtaining Colorectal Cancer (CRC) screening. Physician commitment to recommend screening is considered critical to improve colorectal screening rates. In addition a practice-based strategy to systematically prompt health care providers is considered a necessary component to a successful quality effort.
Opportunities exist within the outpatient office setting for clinicians to impact screening rates. Developing practice-based systems that use technology solutions to identify, track and remind patients are excellent ways to enhance preventive care activities within outpatient practices.
Clinical decision support (CDS) solutions using health information technology (HIT) can provide an effective mechanism for clinicians to identify and follow-up on patients who are due for Colorectal Cancer Screening, in addition to other preventive care testing. There are many options for leveraging technology solutions in the outpatient office setting, including using electronic messaging tools, as well as alerts and reminders within the Electronic Health Record. This technology, in combination with office based improvements and clinician support has the potential to greatly improve screening and decrease colorectal cancer rates.
Masspro is collaborating with the Massachusetts Comprehensive Cancer Control Coalition's Colorectal Cancer Working Group (MC6WG) and the American Cancer Society to develop and implement an intervention design, including tools and resources, to enhance and improve the level of Colorectal Cancer Screening within the primary care setting. The plan is to pilot test an intervention model with the goal of incorporating this model into the Care Management strategy for staff within the Masspro DOQ-IT program. An assessment tool, and toolkit were also created and implemented as part of this project.
Tools and Resources
Masspro has a variety of resource materials to support working with physician practices on improving colorectal cancer screening. They include the following:
Colorectal Cancer Screening Practice Assessment Form:
The purpose of this tool is to collect information about the policies and practices for CRC screening in the physician's office setting to assist you in identifying EHR strategies and solutions that may support your efforts. Please click here to access the form.
Access to Online Resources Through the DOQ-IT University Website
Comprised of interactive, web-based learning modules, DOQ-IT University guides Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs) and physician offices through all phases of HIT adoption, including assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation and care management. Each module educates the user through a series of interactive lessons and tools that are disease and population specific. The modules incorporate clinical decision support (CDS), use of evidence-based medicine guidelines, patient self-management strategies and office redesign. There is a section devoted to Colorectal Cancer screening which includes a case study, the assessment tool, and access to additional resources. DOQ-IT U is free and available to all physicians to utilize, and provides a comprehensive approach to the use of care management strategies in the outpatient setting to promote clinical care improvement.
Please click here for more information on how to register for DOQ-IT U
You can access DOQ-IT U at: elearning.qualitynet.org
Educational Materials and Resources
Patient Resources
Colon Testing Saves Lives
What You Need to Know About Colon Testing
Clinical Resources
Colorectal Cancer Screening Resource Kit
Colorectal Cancer Risk and Screening
How To Increase Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates In Practice
A Primary Care Clinician's Evidence-Based Toolbox and Guide
To access additional educational materials and resources, link to our toolkit section.
CME Program
As part of the educational outreach that was conducted, a continuing education webex program which provides CMEs and CEUs was created in collaboration with Masspro and the Massachusetts Colorectal Cancer Working Group. Speakers included a well-known physician expert in the field of Colorectal Cancer, as well as EHR expertise from Masspro's HIT department. In addition to the participation on the live webex program, this program has been approved for enduring CMEs (approved for Risk Management CME). Please click here to access the CME program and accompanying documents.
|
