The Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network (CPCRN) recently issued a report based on a survey that was conducted to assess which evidence-based colorectal cancer screening interventions are currently being utilized in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and which implementation strategies are being employed to ensure that the interventions are executed as intended.

The University of Iowa was one of eight FQHCs that participated in the survey which was coordinated onsite by the Prevention Research Center at the UI College of Public Health. The UI team was also a part of the CPCRN workgroup that published the brief and included Edith Parker, Natoshia Askelson, and Laura Seegmiller.

The survey found that while colorectal cancer screening rates have been increasing, there is still work to be done in order to reach the national goal of 80% by 2018.

According to a report

• The majority (77%) of surveyed FQHCs were either fully or partially implementing evidence-based interventions (EBIs) to improve colorectal cancer (CRC) screening.
• Health centers were actively using a range of implementation strategies to incorporate EBIs into practice.
• EBIs that were underutilized include: patient reminders, patient navigation, small media, and group education.
• Implementation strategies that were underutilized include: community assessments, formation of implementation teams, formal commitments to recommend CRC screening, and incentive or penalty systems for providers and organizations.