Published in:
01-06-2009 | Rapid Communication
Moving Mammogram-Reluctant Women to Screening: A Pilot Study
Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine | Issue 3/2009
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Background
Effective interventions are needed for women long overdue for screening mammography.
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to pilot test an intervention for motivating overdue women to receive a mammogram.
Methods
Subjects aged 45–79 without a mammogram in ≥27 months and enrolled in study practices were identified from claims data. The intervention included a mailed, educational booklet, computer-assisted barrier-specific tailored counseling and motivational interviewing, and facilitated, short-interval mammography scheduling.
Results
Of 127 eligible women, 45 (35.4%) agreed to counseling and data collection. Most were ≥3 years overdue. Twenty-six (57.8%) of the counseled women got a mammogram within 12 months. Thirty-one (72.1%) of 43 counseled women moved ≥1 stage closer to screening, based on a modified Precaution Adoption Process Model.
Conclusion
It is feasible to reach and counsel women who are long overdue for a mammogram and to advance their stage of adoption. The intervention should be formally evaluated in a prospective trial comparing it to control or to proven interventions.