Is an opportunistic primary care-based intervention for non-responders to bowel screening feasible and acceptable? A mixed-methods feasibility study in Scotland.
OBJECTIVES
We aimed to test whether a brief, opportunistic intervention in general practice was a feasible and acceptable way to engage with bowel screening non-responders.


DESIGN
This was a feasibility study testing an intervention which comprised a brief conversation during routine consultation, provision of a patient leaflet and instructions to request a replacement faecal occult blood test kit. A mixed-methods approach to evaluation was adopted. Data were collected from proformas completed after each intervention, from the Bowel Screening Centre database and from questionnaires. Semi-structured interviews were carried out. We used descriptive statistics, content and framework analysis to determine intervention feasibility and acceptability.


PARTICIPANTS
Bowel screening non-responders (as defined by the Scottish Bowel Screening Centre) and primary care professionals working in five general practices in Lothian, Scotland.


PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES
Several predefined feasibility parameters were assessed, including numbers of patients engaging in conversation, requesting a replacement kit and returning it, and willingness of primary care professionals to deliver the intervention.


RESULTS
The intervention was offered to 258 patients in five general practices: 220 (87.0%) engaged with the intervention, 60 (23.3%) requested a new kit, 22 (8.5%) kits were completed and returned. Interviews and questionnaires suggest that the intervention was feasible, acceptable and consistent with an existing health prevention agenda. Reported challenges referred to work-related pressures, time constraints and practice priorities.


CONCLUSIONS
This intervention was acceptable and resulted in a modest increase in non-responders participating in bowel screening, although outlined challenges may affect sustained implementation. The strategy is also aligned with the increasing role of primary care in promoting bowel screening.
['Calanzani|Natalia|N|', 'Cavers|Debbie|D|', 'Vojt|Gabriele|G|', 'Orbell|Sheina|S|', 'Steele|Robert J C|RJC|', 'Brownlee|Linda|L|', 'Smith|Steve|S|', 'Patnick|Julietta|J|', 'Weller|David|D|', 'Campbell|Christine|C|']
D000368:Aged D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms D005240:Feasibility Studies D005260:Female D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice D006801:Humans D008297:Male D008403:Mass Screening D008875:Middle Aged D009780:Occult Blood D010349:Patient Compliance D011320:Primary Health Care D036301:Qualitative Research D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic D012606:Scotland D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
bowel screening feasibility studies general practice neoplasms