Enhanced Communication and Patient Navigation for the Improvement of Colonoscopy Completion in Patients with a Positive Fecal Immunochemical Test
This clinical trial studies whether enhanced communication and patient navigation work to improve colonoscopy completion in patients with a positive fecal immunochemical test (FIT). FIT is a colorectal cancer screening strategy. It is a test that checks for blood in the stool, which may be a sign of colorectal cancer. It is recommended that patients with a positive FIT result have a follow up colonoscopy so doctors can examine the inside of the colon and test tissue from areas that may be of concern for colorectal cancer. Despite this recommendation, completion of colonoscopy following a positive FIT remains low. The enhanced communication in this study includes sending providers communication with the patient's colonoscopy completion status, which may allow the provider to make a referral or schedule a colonoscopy appointment. The enhanced communication is combined with patient navigation which provides the patient with an explanation of the positive FIT test and colonoscopy process, information on how to prepare the bowel for the colonoscopy, and scheduling support. Enhanced communication and patient navigation may be an effective way to improve colonoscopy completion in patients with a positive FIT.