Overview of Existing Initiative
In reference to Affordable Healthcare Act, there have been concerted efforts in ensuring that inequality in healthcare access is addressed by different players led by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). One of such initiatives by CDC is the “ Use of Evidence-Based Interventions to Address Disparities in Colorectal Cancer Screening.” This initiative has shown that colorectal cancer (CRC), which affects both genders, is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Notably, the study has highlighted the successes observed in the EBIs’ implementation in addressing healthcare disparity by two CRCCP grantees: The Washington State’s Breast, Cervical, and Colon Health Program (BCCHP) and the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) ( Djenaba et al., 2016 ). The ANTHC collaborated with regional organizations under tribal or community health within the Alaska Tribal Health System in implementing client and provider reminders as well as the use of patient navigators in increasing the CRC screening tests in the Alaska Native populations. On the other hand, BCCHP identified coordinators in every medical facility thus helping in coordinating staff training on integrated provider and client reminder and CRC screening systems ( Djenaba et al., 2016 ). In the two programs in Washington and Alaska, the application of electronic health record systems was used in instituting client reminder system and provider reminder systems.
Specific Goal of the Use of EBIs in Addressing Inequality in CRC Screening
Although there is enough evidence that shows that CRC screening tests are effective, research has indicated that they are underused in some parts of the country ( Djenaba et al., 2016 ). Early Screening of chronic diseases such as cancer has been one of the primary interventions (McMorrow et al., 2015). High mortality rates before the age of 70 have been attributed to the late presentation of diseases, problems in acquisition of emergency surgical and medical care, as well as lack of or inadequate follow-up of patients after medical interventions (Mirza et al., 2014). Therefore, the objective of the study was to ensure that the rate of CRC screening was increased among the underserviced populations in America.
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Circumstances around the Study
According to statistics, both ethnic and racial minority groups, people with low levels of education and incomes have been recording low rates of cancer screening. Critical to note is that for the last eight years, the CDC’s Colorectal Cancer Control Program (CRCCP) has been supporting departments of state health as well as tribal organizations in the implementation of evidence-based interventions (EBIs) to ensure that CRC screening tests are used by people in the society. In underlining the role of EBIs in the healthcare in addressing different healthcare issues, the project team in this study noted that the application of multicomponent interventions in a single facility or clinic could be instrumental in supporting more organized programs of screening and potentially result in a greater increase in the rates of screening compared to when a single form of strategy is relied upon (Djenaba et al., 2016). The authors applied organized systems of screening which, according to them, have clear policies for screening including a well-defined targeted population, a team selected to oversee the process of implementing the program as well as a structure of quality control and assurance.
Resources Required for the Initiative
In order to ensure that the above initiative is successfully implemented in all regions of the country, different resources are required. However, the bulk of these resources are composed of human and financial resources. For example, a lot of funds will be needed to sensitize the public on the importance of screening. At the same time, the screening process will also require financial resources which will be used to pay the personnel or organizations participating in the CRC screening tests. However, it must be noted that massive mobilization including recruitment of human resources such as cancer specialists and all other healthcare practitioners will be required to make the process successful.
Limitation of the Study in Meeting the Expected Results
Although the authors have pointed out that by increasing the use of EBIs in healthcare systems and clinics that are responsible for serving people with low rates of CRC screening could potentially help in improving the CRC screening rates, there are two limitations which, if addressed could lead to better results. Firstly, the team did not compare the CRC screening rates with a nonintervention group. Consequently, it is difficult to assure that the changes in the rates of CRC screening were due solely to the intervention alone. Secondly, it was unfortunate that the systematic and immediate outcome data was not collected, such as those who completed or scheduled the test after they received a reminder. The consideration of the two issues would go a long way in addressing the healthcare gap in regards to CRC screening.
References
Djenaba A., Redwood, D., DeGroff, A. & Butler, E. ( 2016 ). Center for Disease Control: Use
of Evidence-Based Interventions to Address Disparities in Colorectal Cancer Screening.
Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/su/su6501a5.htm?s_cid=su6501a5_w
McMorrow, S., Long, S. K., Kenney, G. M., & Anderson, N. (2015). Uninsurance disparities have narrowed for black and Hispanic adults under the Affordable Care Act. Health Affairs , 10-1377.
Mirza, M., Luna, R., Mathews, B., Hasnain, R., Hebert, E., Niebauer, A., & Mishra, U. D. (2014). Barriers to healthcare access among refugees with disabilities and chronic health conditions resettled in the US Midwest. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health , 16 (4), 733-742
