268599 Texas C-STEP: Establishing a network and protocol for colorectal cancer screening in a family medicine residency program

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Jane N. Bolin, PhD, JD, RN , Health Policy & Management, Texas A&M HSC School of Rural Public Health, College Station, TX
David McClellan, MD , College of Medicine - Family Medicine Residency, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, TX
Janet Helduser, MA , Health Policy & Management, Texas A&M HSC School of Rural Public Health, College Station, TX
Christine Pinones, RN , College of Medicine - Family Medicine Residency, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, TX
Chelsie Hollas, MPH , Health Policy & Management, Texas A&M HSC School of Rural Public Health, College Station, TX
Philip Nash, BSc , College of Medicine - Family Medicine Residency, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, TX
Marcia G. Ory, PhD, MPH , Social & Behavioral Health, Texas A&M HSC School of Rural Public Health, College Station, TX
Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality. The Brazos Valley (BV) region of Texas hosts 5 rural counties with CRC rates higher than state average, and 25% of BV residents have never been screened. Barriers include access, cost and medical mistrust. Purpose: This presentation describes innovative recruitment strategies and protocols established to enhance CRC screening in a family medicine residency program. The Colon Cancer Screening, Training, Education and Prevention program (Texas C-STEP) enhances CRC screening by: (1) providing accessible, affordable, culturally-relevant screenings, (2) training family medicine residents and practitioners to conduct colonoscopies, and (3) sustaining safety-net services through local providers and agencies. Methods: C-STEP, a collaboration between Texas A&M Health Science Center's Family Medicine Residency and School of Rural Public Health, seeks to fund 1500 free colonoscopies for uninsured residents of the BV. Referrals for screening come from local agencies, providers and self-referral. Community health workers/promotores (CHW/Ps) are trained and included in outreach, education, intake, monitoring and follow-up activities. A customized database is used to track patient progress. Significance: Colon cancer is a significant public health problem, especially in underserved populations. Texas C-STEP has established a network and protocols to increase numbers of screenings in uninsured patients; family medicine physicians trained to conduct colonoscopies; and P/CHWs trained as patient navigators. The program serves as a model for translating colon cancer screening and education services into family medicine residency training. Funded by grant #PP11706 from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas.

Learning Areas:
Clinical medicine applied in public health
Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs

Learning Objectives:
Describe innovative strategies, networks and protocols developed to enhance colorectal cancer screening in a family medicine residency program

Keywords: Cancer Screening, Community Outreach

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to be an abstract author on this content as I serve as co-principal investigator for the CPRIT prevention grant that is the subject of this paper.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.