Testing behavioral economics principles in mailed FIT outreach: a randomized trial.

Abstract

Purpose: Mailed stool-based fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) can improve colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates. We aim to determine whether enhancing communications with evidence-based behavioral economics principles in mailed FIT kits further improves screening rates.

Methods: This study focused predominantly on Medicare patients at average-risk for colon cancer who were not up-to-date on CRC screening. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two interventions: original communication (a series of standard communications, including a pre-mailing letter, FIT kit and letter, and reminders via text or robo-call); or enhanced communication (the same sequence, but incorporating behavioral economics principles to encourage FIT completion). We compared the rate of FIT tests completed at 90 days and factors associated with completion.

Results: 4,070 patients were included. Within 90 days, 27% of all patients successfully completed the FIT test: 28.1% of patients receiving the enhanced communication had FIT test completed compared to 25.5% of patients receiving the original communication. The adjusted risk difference for obtaining patients' FIT tests within 90 days was 2.2% (95% CI = -0.4%, 4.9%) for the enhanced communication outreach compared to the original communication (p = 0.094). Younger participants and patients experiencing greater area-level deprivation were less likely to complete the screening.

Conclusion: The FIT test screening rate in the enhanced communication group was not statistically different from the original communication group. Using evidence-based behavioral economics principles in mailed FIT communications did not markedly improve the rate of CRC screening, but mailed FIT remains a key, cost-effective tool for reaching unscreened individuals.