Cancer Prevention & Control, Provider-oriented Screening Interventions: Provider Reminders & Recall
Reminders inform health care providers it is time for a client’s cancer screening test (called a “reminder”) or that the client is overdue for screening (called a “recall”). The reminders can be provided in different ways, such as in client charts or by e-mail.
Task Force Recommendations & Findings
The Task Force on Community Preventive Services recommends provider reminder systems based on strong evidence of their effectiveness in increasing:
- Breast cancer screening by mammography
- Cervical cancer screening by Pap test
- Colorectal cancer screening by fecal occult blood test (FOBT)
The Task Force recommends provider reminder systems based on sufficient evidence of their effectiveness in increasing:
- Colorectal cancer screening by flexible sigmoidoscopy
The Task Force concluded there was insufficient evidence to determine the effectiveness of using provider reminders to increase:
- Colorectal cancer screening by colonoscopy or double contrast barium enema
Results from the System Review
Twenty-five studies qualified for the review and included 2 outcome measures.
- The included studies had thirty-one estimates of the effect of provider reminders on the screening outcomes of interest: twelve for mammography, thirteen for Pap tests, five for FOBTs, and one for flexible sigmoidoscopy
- Mammography, pap test, and FOBT screening completion: median increase of 8.8 percentage points
Breast Cancer
- Proportion of study participants completing mammography: median increase of 12 percentage points (12 studies or study arms)
Cervical Cancer
- Proportion of study participants completing Pap tests: median increase of 4.7 percentage points (13 studies or study arms)
Colorectal Cancer
- Proportion of study participants completing FOBTs and flexible sigmoidoscopy: median increase of 17.6 percentage points (6 studies or study arms)
These results were based on a systematic review of all available studies, conducted on behalf of the Task Force by a team of specialists in systematic review methods, and in research, practice and policy related to cancer prevention.
Supporting Materials
Publications
Baron RC, Melillo S, Rimer BK, et al. Intervention to increase recommendation and delivery of screening for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers by healthcare providers: a systematic review of provider reminders. American Journal of Preventive Medicine 2010;38(1):110-7.
More Community Guide publications about Cancer Prevention and Control
Disclaimer
The findings and conclusions on this page are those of the Task Force on Community Preventive Services and do not necessarily represent those of CDC.
Sample Citation
The content of publications of the Guide to Community Preventive Services is in the public domain. Citation as to source, however, is appreciated. Sample citation: Guide to Community Preventive Services. Cancer prevention & control, provider-oriented screening interventions: provider reminders & recall. www.thecommunityguide.org/cancer/screening/provider-oriented/reminders.html. Last updated: MM/DD/YYYY.
Review completed: July 2008
- Page last reviewed: March 10, 2010
- Page last updated: March 10, 2010
- Content source: The Guide to Community Preventive Services
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