A recent study conducted by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine has shed light on the impact of mailed reminders on liver cancer screenings. The findings, discussed by doctors, highlight the significance of these screenings in early detection and improved survival rates.
Kenneth Rothstein, MD at Penn Medicine, emphasizes the importance of these screenings for patients with cirrhosis. "It is so important to screen patients with cirrhosis for liver cancer since early detection improves survival," he says. Rothstein also points out a concerning statistic: "Unfortunately, only 20 percent of people with cirrhosis in this country are being screened correctly, which results in many early and unnecessary deaths from liver cancer."
Liver cancer screenings play a crucial role in detecting liver cancer at an early stage, thereby enhancing chances of survival. Particularly for patients with cirrhosis who are at a heightened risk for hepatocellular carcinoma - a particularly lethal form of cancer - regular liver cancer screenings are imperative. A team of researchers from Penn Medicine including Rothstein, professor of Gastroenterology and lead author of the study, sought to investigate the effects of "nudging" - a technique that involves removing barriers and creating reminders to influence behavior - on liver screenings. This information was revealed in a news release from Penn Medicine.
The study involved over 500 patients divided into three groups. The first group did not receive any mailed reminders for liver screenings; the second group received reminders from their physicians about the importance of these screenings; while the third group received both mailed reminders and a twenty-dollar incentive. The outcomes were quite revealing: 27% of patients in the first group underwent screening; 55% in the second group received screenings within six months after receiving the letters; however, offering monetary incentives did not significantly alter these numbers as approximately 54% of patients in the third group got screened.
Shivan Mehta, MD, MBA, associate professor of Gastroenterology, and associate chief innovation officer at Penn Medicine, provided some insight into these findings. "There is mixed data on the effectiveness of financial incentives for preventive health activities," he said. Mehta further elaborated that patients might not be accustomed to receiving such incentives from their clinicians through direct mail, which could explain the negligible impact of the monetary incentive.
Mehta found mail nudges to be particularly more effective than other forms of reminders such as electronic messaging. "While more of our patients have access to internet, smartphones, and text messaging, there is still differential access. However, most patients are able to receive mailings. Ultimately, our goal is to communicate with patients through the method that they choose or have the best access to," he stated. In conclusion, the study underscored the efficacy of mailed reminders in increasing liver screenings.
