Testing Interventions to Motivate and Educate (TIME): A multi-level intervention to improve colorectal cancer screening

•This study tested the effectiveness of a multi-level CRC screening intervention.•There was no difference in receipt of CRC screening between study arms.•Innovative strategies need to be developed to improve CRC screening rates.

ObjectiveTo test the effectiveness of a colorectal cancer (CRC) screening intervention directed at three levels (clinic, provider, patient) in a primary care setting.MethodWe conducted a group randomized trial (Clinical Trials registration no. NCT01568151) among 10 primary care clinics in Columbus, Ohio that were randomized to a study condition (intervention or usual care). We determined the effect of a multi-level, stepped behavioral intervention on receipt of a CRC screening test among average-risk patients from these clinics over the study period.ResultsPatients (n = 527) who were outside of CRC screening recommendations were recruited. Overall, 35.4% of participants in the intervention clinics had received CRC screening by the end of the study compared to 35.1% of participants who were in the usual care clinics. Time to CRC screening was also similar across arms (HR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.65–1.45).ConclusionThe multi-level intervention was not effective in increasing CRC screening among participants who needed a test, perhaps due to low participation of patients in the stepped intervention. Future studies utilizing evidence-based strategies to encourage CRC screening are needed.