Application of Behavioral Economics Principles Improves Participation in Mailed Outreach for Colorectal Cancer Screening.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality in the United States. Although various interventions have improved screening rates, they often require abundant resources and can be difficult to implement. Social psychology and behavioral economics principles offer an opportunity for low-cost and easy-to-implement strategies but are less common in clinical settings.

Methods

We randomized 2,000 patients aged 50-75 years eligible for CRC screening to one of the 2 mailed interventions: a previously used text-based letter describing and offering fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) and colonoscopy (usual care arm); or a letter leveraging social psychology and behavioral economics principles (e.g., implied scarcity and choice architect

SUBMITTER: Bakr O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7056051 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature