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Open Access 01-12-2022 | Colorectal Cancer | Study protocol

The SMARTscreen Trial: a randomised controlled trial investigating the efficacy of a GP-endorsed narrative SMS to increase participation in the Australian National Bowel Cancer Screening Program

Authors: Anna Wood, Jon D. Emery, Mark Jenkins, Patty Chondros, Tina Campbell, Edweana Wenkart, Clare O’Reilly, Tony Cowie, Ian Dixon, Julie Toner, Hourieh Khalajzadeh, Javiera Martinez Gutierrez, Linda Govan, Gemma Buckle, Jennifer G. McIntosh

Published in: Trials | Issue 1/2022

Abstract

Background

Increasing participation in the Australian National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) is the most efficient and cost-effective way of reducing mortality associated with colorectal cancer by detecting and treating early-stage disease. Currently, only 44% of Australians aged 50–74 years complete the NBCSP. This efficacy trial aims to test whether this SMS intervention is an effective method for increasing participation in the NBCSP. Furthermore, a process evaluation will explore the barriers and facilitators to sending the SMS from general practice.

Methods

We will recruit 20 general practices in the western region of Victoria, Australia to participate in a cluster randomised controlled trial. General practices will be randomly allocated with a 1:1 ratio to either a control or intervention group. Established general practice software will be used to identify patients aged 50 to 60 years old who are due to receive a NBCSP kit in the next month. The SMS intervention includes GP endorsement and links to narrative messages about the benefits of and instructions on how to complete the NBCSP kit. It will be sent from intervention general practices to eligible patients prior to receiving the NBCSP kit. We require 1400 eligible patients to provide 80% power with a two-sided 5% significance level to detect a 10% increase in CRC screening participation in the intervention group compared to the control group. Our primary outcome is the difference in the proportion of eligible patients who completed a faecal occult blood test (FOBT) between the intervention and control group for up to 12 months after the SMS was sent, as recorded in their electronic medical record (EMR). A process evaluation using interview data collected from general practice staff (GP, practice managers, nurses) and patients will explore the feasibility and acceptability of sending and receiving a SMS to prompt completing a NBCSP kit.

Discussion

This efficacy trial will provide initial trial evidence of the utility of an SMS narrative intervention to increase participation in the NBCSP. The results will inform decisions about the need for and design of a larger, multi-state trial of this SMS intervention to determine its cost-effectiveness and future implementation.

Trial registration

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12620001020976. Registered on 17 October 2020.

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Title: The SMARTscreen Trial: a randomised controlled trial investigating the efficacy of a GP-endorsed narrative SMS to increase participation in the Australian National Bowel Cancer Screening Program
Authors: Anna Wood
Jon D. Emery
Mark Jenkins
Patty Chondros
Tina Campbell
Edweana Wenkart
Clare O’Reilly
Tony Cowie
Ian Dixon
Julie Toner
Hourieh Khalajzadeh
Javiera Martinez Gutierrez
Linda Govan
Gemma Buckle
Jennifer G. McIntosh
Publication date: 01-12-2022
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal Cancer
Published in: Trials / Issue 1/2022
Electronic ISSN: 1745-6215
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-021-05877-3

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

The SMARTscreen Trial: a randomised controlled trial investigating the efficacy of a GP-endorsed narrative SMS to increase participation in the Australian National Bowel Cancer Screening Program

Abstract

Background

Methods

Discussion

Trial registration

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Discussion

Trial registration

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