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NCT Number: NCT04555902

Evaluation of Mailers Promoting Mammogram Screening

In this evaluation, 3 different versions of mailers promoting annual mammograms are being sent to women on the month of their 50th and 64th birthdays. The researchers hypothesize that the use of behavioral nudges in the mailers should lead to increased uptake in mammogram screening.

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Key information

Conditions

Breast Cancer Behavior Breast Diseases Breast Neoplasms Communication Neoplasms Neoplasms by Site Risk Reduction Behavior Skin Diseases Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases

Age range

50 year–64 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Geisinger

Danville, Pennsylvania, 17822, United States

About this study

Mammogram screening for women, starting at age 50, can significantly reduce the risk of complications due to breast cancer. As part of an existing outreach campaign, the health system mails a postcard and small gift (pink socks) to women on the month of their 50th and 64th birthdays to promote annual mammogram screening.

The researchers are evaluating two new versions of the mailers against a standard mailer to see which version leads to greater uptake in mammograms. The new mailers have content that applies behavioral nudge theory - specifically, loss frames and fear appeals - to encourage taking action. One of the two new versions does not include the small gift, to test whether its inclusion or exclusion has any effect on mammogram screening.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Female Geisinger Health Plan members turning 50 and 64 in that month
  • For the 2020 campaign, birthdays from June 2020 (as opposed to August 2020) will be included due to a temporary suspension of the outreach program due to the COVID-19 pandemic since June
  • For the pre-post examination of the 2019 campaign, all months in that year will be included

Exclusion criteria

  • Members who are on the do not contact list at Geisinger Health Plan

Treatment and study plan

Postcard

Behavioral

The postcard includes appeals to get annual mammograms and provides information for ordering a mammogram.

Small Gift

Behavioral

Pink socks are included in the mailer. The gift increases salience of the mailer and it potentially promotes reciprocation from the recipient in the form of ordering a mammogram.

Loss Frame and Fear Appeals

Behavioral

The postcard is enhanced with language that frames the situation in terms of losses. It also uses fear appeals by stating the risks of breast cancer, while also stating that a mammogram screening is an accessible way to address those risks.

Primary outcomes

  1. Mammogram Completion at 6 months (2020)

    Time frame: 6 months from intervention start date

    Binary variable indicating whether a mammogram was completed

Secondary outcomes

  1. Mammogram Completion at 12 months (2020)

    Time frame: 12 months from intervention start date

    Binary variable indicating whether a mammogram was completed (a longer time frame allows for late responses)

  2. Primary Care Provider Visits at 6 months (2020)

    Time frame: 6 months from intervention start date

    Number of visits (proxy for increased preventative health care)

  3. Primary Care Provider Visits at 12 months (2020)

    Time frame: 12 months from intervention start date

    Number of visits (proxy for increased preventative health care)

  4. Obstetrician-Gynecologist Visits at 6 months (2020)

    Time frame: 6 months from intervention start date

    Number of visits (proxy for increased preventative health care)

  5. Obstetrician-Gynecologist Visits at 12 months (2020)

    Time frame: 12 months from intervention start date

    Number of visits (proxy for increased preventative health care)

  6. Breast Cancer Diagnosis at 6 months (2020)

    Time frame: 6 months from intervention start date

    Binary variable indicating whether the recipient was diagnosed with breast cancer

  7. Breast Cancer Diagnosis at 12 months (2020)

    Time frame: 12 months from intervention start date

    Binary variable indicating whether the recipient was diagnosed with breast cancer

  8. Emergency Department Visits at 6 months (2020)

    Time frame: 6 months from intervention start date

    Number of Emergency Department Visits (proxy for increased costly utilization of health system resources)

  9. Emergency Department Visits at 12 months (2020)

    Time frame: 12 months from intervention start date

    Number of Emergency Department Visits (proxy for increased costly utilization of health system resources)

Other outcomes

  1. Mammogram Completion at 12 months (2019)

    Time frame: 12 months from 2019 intervention start date

    Binary variable indicating whether a mammogram was completed to be used for exploratory pre-post comparisons

  2. Primary Care Provider Visits at 12 months (2019)

    Time frame: 12 months from 2019 intervention start date

    Number of visits to be used for exploratory pre-post comparisons (proxy for increased preventative health care)

  3. Breast Cancer Diagnosis at 12 months (2019)

    Time frame: 12 months from 2019 intervention start date

    Binary variable indicating whether the woman was diagnosed with breast cancer

  4. Emergency Department Visits at 12 months (2019)

    Time frame: 12 months from 2019 intervention start date

    Number of Emergency Department Visits (proxy for increased costly utilization of health system resources)

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Geisinger Clinic

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Evaluation of Postcard Mailers Enhanced With Behavioral Nudges to Promote Mammogram Screening

Important dates

Study start
2020
Primary completion
2021
Study completion
2021
First posted
Sep 21, 2020
Registry last updated
Nov 15, 2021

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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