Abstract B94: Examining the process of patient navigation for screening colonoscopy among African American and Latinos

Abstract

Abstract Patient Navigation (PN) reduces many of the barriers to successful completion of screening colonoscopy. To optimize the efficiency of PN and further reduce racial and ethnic disparities in cancer incidence and mortality, it is important to examine associations between the process of patient navigation and screening colonoscopy completion. The objectives of this study were to assess the amount of time patient navigators spent contacting and communicating with minority participants and to determine whether the number of calls and contact time predict completion of screening colonoscopy. In the context of a prospective, randomized controlled trial of PN for screening colonoscopy conducted in New York City from 2007-2012 among African Americans and Latinos, participants received three scripted telephone calls from a navigator during which the appointment was scheduled and bowel preparation instructions, transportation needs, health education regarding colorectal cancer and screening, and support were discussed. African American and Latino participants (N=742) at least 50 years old referred for screening colonoscopy received either culturally-targeted PN or standard PN (no differences in study arms were detected). Call logs documented the number of calls each participant received as well as the length of each phone call. Socio-demographic characteristics were also assessed. Completion of Call 2 and 3 were the strongest predictors of screening colonoscopy completion. Participants who spent less time on Call 1, more time on Calls 2 and 3 and who had fewer Call 1 attempts were also more likely to complete a screening colonoscopy. Completion of colonoscopy may be predicted from the length of time PNs spend with patients during the first and third telephone calls. This information could improve the efficacy of patient navigation programs for screening colonoscopy among minorities and provides further support for the effectiveness of patient navigation as a strategy to reduce cancer screening disparities. Citation Format: Jamilia Sly, Debra Pelto, Gary Winkel, Hayley Thompson, William Redd, Steven Itzkowitz, Lina Jandorf. Examining the process of patient navigation for screening colonoscopy among African American and Latinos. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Sixth AACR Conference: The Science of Cancer Health Disparities; Dec 6–9, 2013; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2014;23(11 Suppl):Abstract nr B94. doi:10.1158/1538-7755.DISP13-B94