A Physician-Based Trial to Increase Colorectal Cancer Screening in Chinese

This study is a randomized controlled trial aiming to test the effect of the culturally-tailored in-office based intervention on physicians. A total of 24 Chinese physicians in the Washington DC and Philadelphia areas and a total of 24 eligible Chinese patients from each physician will be recruited for this study. Physicians and their patients are randomized into two groups: A and B. Physician in the intervention group (A) will receive mailed printed materials including a CRC physician guide, patient brochure, flip chart and a poster and two sessions of in-office training aimed to reinforce learning of the topic covered by the mailed materials and provide physicians with hands-on experience in using communication skills with standardized patients. Physicians in the control group (B) will receive nothing until the end of the study. Patients will be followed 12-month later after their completion of the baseline survey and their self-reported CRC screening status will be verified by chart audit.

Inclusion criteria

For Physicians

• are Chinese American,
• practice primary care,
• have a least 75 Chinese patients aged 50 and older in their practice,
• can communicate with patients in Chinese (Mandarin, Cantonese, etc.)

For Patients

• visiting the participating physician at least once in the past 2 years,
• are Chinese Americans,
• are 50 years and older,
• never had any CRC screening or are overdue for screening.

Exclusion criteria

For Patients:

• have a colorectal polyp, CRC cancer, or a family history of CRC (first degree relative), and
• had updated CRC screening (FOBT within one year, colonoscopy within 10 years, sigmoidoscopy within 5 years and double-contrast barium enema within 5 years).