The research question we pose is, Does a colorectal cancer (CRC) screening decision
support tool offered in advance of primary care visits increase CRC screening completion
rates? Our work aims to answer this question by evaluating the effectiveness of an MGB
decision support tool to 1) promote informed decisions about CRC screening for average
risk patients ages 45-75, 2) deploy a decision support tool as part of a primary care
bundle questionnaire, and 3) support patients in completing their preferred method of CRC
screening.
Study sponsor and potential other locations can be found on ClinicalTrials.gov for NCT06625983.
As part of usual care, a CRC screening electronic decision support tool developed by Mass
General Brigham has been integrated into Epic. This decision support tool is part of
routine clinical care and is sent electronically to patients aged 45-75 who receive the
Annual Visit Primary Care Screening Bundled Questionnaire in advance of their annual
visit. Patients complete the tool on Patient Gateway prior to the visit or via an iPad at
the visit. The decision support tool guides patients through the CRC screening options
(e.g., FIT, colonoscopy, Cologuard) to help them select their preferred screening method.
As part of routine care, the patient will be prompted to complete the tool as part of the
bundled questionnaire, and the results will be available in the Epic encounter in the
Screenings tab with the other screening bundle responses. The primary care clinician can
then discuss the options and/or screening preference with the patient. Depending on what
the patient and clinician decide, a CRC screening test may be ordered for the patient. As
a secondary outcome, a random sample of 1000 patients will be surveyed to understand
their involvement in the decision making process and 300 providers will be surveyed to
understand how the decision tool impacted the conversation with the patient. The IRB to
conduct surveys of patients and providers was approved by the Mass General Brigham IRB
(Protocol # 2024P002568).
Trial PhaseNo phase specified
Trial Typehealth services research
Lead OrganizationMassachusetts General Hospital
Principal InvestigatorKaren J. Blumenthal
