A Patient Portal Tool, E-assist, for Supporting CRC Screening

During initial project period, the content was developed for the online e-assist tool using messages and tools developed under prior NCI-funded applications combined with newly developed messaging specific to this application. Throughout development, the principal investigator will seek input and guidance from a quality improvement team at the Henry Ford Health System (HFHS) (i.e., the local performance site) that is tasked with patient portal innovation for Meaningful Use. Once finalized, the effectiveness of e-assist will be evaluated using a three-arm, practical randomized trial.

Trial participants will be randomized to one of the following three groups:

• e-assist: Colon Health (treatment arm) [n = 900]
• Healthwise Educational Program (active control) [n = 900]
• Usual care control (observational only) [n = 900]

For the evaluation, the investigators employ an intent-to-treat design with primary effectiveness measured by electronic health record (EHR)-documented CRC screening use. Secondary outcomes of interest include patient-reported CRC screening intent, perceived barriers to and support for CRC screening as well as perceived susceptibility and screening benefits. Results from all analyses will be used to develop an implementation guide for the dissemination and implementation of e-assist among diverse primary care practices.

Inclusion criteria

-CRC screening recommendation via colonoscopy and/or stool cards at time of primary care appointment. Receiving care in a HFHS primary care clinic and activated MyChart account.

Exclusion criteria

• EHR-documented colonoscopy in the past 10 years, sigmoidoscopy in the past 5 years, or fecal occult blood test (FOBT) or fecal immunochemical test (FIT) in the past 12 months.
• Elevated risk for CRC (i.e., personal or family history of CRC, those with prior polyps, or a history of inflammatory bowel disease, familial adenomatous polyposis, or hereditary nonpolyposis).