A study in Gastroenterology found that outreach initiatives increase rates of ultrasound screening for liver cancer.
The researchers assigned patients with cirrhosis to one of three experiment groups, in an effort to increase rates of hepatocellular carcinoma screening: those who received mailed invitations for an ultrasound screening, those who received mailed invitations and patient navigation services and those who received traditional care. The researchers defined successful completion of screening as undergoing abdominal imaging within six months.
Here's what you need to know:
1. Patients who received outreach invitations were significantly more likely to undergo liver cancer screening; 47.2 percent of those who received mailed invitation and navigation completed screening, 44.5 percent of those who received only mail invitation completed screening and only 24.3 percent of those who received usual care completed screening.
2. However, the screening rates between the two outreach groups (47.2 percent and 44.5 percent) were not significantly different. Additionally, sending telephone reminders to patients who did not respond to outreach invitations did not add a significant benefit.
3. There were no significant differences in screening rates based on race or type of cirrhosis.
The researchers concluded that outreach strategies "double the percentage of patients with cirrhosis who underwent ultrasound screening for HCC."
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