The PharmFIT Study

The long-term goal of this study is to reduce CRC mortality by increasing access to CRC screening. The overall objective is to evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of a pharmacy-based FIT (PharmFIT) intervention. PharmFIT is a collaborative patient care service intervention that involves primary care clinics identifying active patients who are due for screening and referring them, outside of a medical visit, to community pharmacies to receive their CRC screening via FITs. The program consists of 1) Patient eligibility assessments and endorsement by the Primary Care Provider (PCP); 2) Counseling on FIT use and return by the pharmacists; 3) Reminders to complete screening by the pharmacy staff; 3) Test result communication by the pharmacists/PCPs; and 4) Patient navigation and care coordination for follow-up care by both pharmacists and PCPs.

Inclusion criteria

Clinic and pharmacy staff (n up to 100)

• Age ≥18 years
• Employed at a participating primary care clinic or pharmacy
• Fluent in English
• Has access to a computer with internet

Exclusion criteria

Clinic and pharmacy staff

• Floaters/per diem employees
• Those who would object to having their interview audio recorded
• Those who would object to participation in evaluation surveys

Inclusion criteria

Patients (n=1400)

• Age 45-75 years
• Patient at a participating primary care facility (medical visit within last 18 months)
• Current resident of NC or WA state
• Not up to date with recommended screening (e.g., no colonoscopy within 10 years, no FIT-DNA test within 3 years; no FIT/FOBT within 12 months)
• English and Spanish speakers
• Has access to a computer or smartphone with internet

Exclusion criteria

Patients

• Previous USPST CRC screening within recommended screening period: 1) Colonoscopy within the past 10 years, 2) FIT/FOBT/FIT-DNA test within the past 12 months, 3) Previous sigmoidoscopy within the past 5 years, 4) Previous CT colonography within the past 10 years, 5) Other CRC screening tests
• CRC screening is contraindicated
• Previous positive FIT/FOBT/FIT-DNA
• Colorectal neoplasm or colorectal polyp
• Adenoma by biopsy
• Family history of colorectal cancer
• Diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease
• Total or partial colectomy
• Diagnosis of Alzheimer's/other forms of severe dementia
• Resides in an assisted living facility
• Currently receiving hospice care
• Diagnosed with end stage renal disease
• Current diagnosis of certain cancers (e.g., CRC, mesothelioma, glioblastoma, lung, pancreatic, and liver/bile duct)