ROCHESTER, Minnesota—A computerized mail and phone reminder program managed by appointment secretaries significantly increased the percentage of patients undergoing annual mammography at the Mayo Clinic, according to a study by Rajeev Chaudhry, MBBS, MPH, and colleagues (Arch Intern Med 167:606-611, 2007).
The researchers randomized 6,665 women age 40 to 75 to usual care or to an intervention group that received mailings (two monthly letters starting 3 months before they were due for screening) followed by a phone call to nonresponding patients, to remind them to schedule a mammogram.
Among the reminded group, 64.3% had their annual mammogram vs 55.3% of controls (P < .001). There were no significant differences between the two groups for any of the other adult preventive services. A subgroup that also received an email reminder had a 72.2% compliance rate. As the program has expanded following the study period, compliance has now grown to more than 72%, Dr. Chaudhry said, with 86% having had one exam within the previous 2 years.
