Cost-effectiveness comparison of five interventions to increase mammography screening

Robert M. Saywell, Victoria L. Champion, Celette Sugg Skinner, Diane McQuillen, Daniel Martin, Maltie Maraj

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

71 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background. Mammography is the primary method used for breast cancer screening. However, compliance with recommended screening practices is still below acceptable levels. This study examined the cost-effectiveness of five combinations of physician recommendation and telephone or in-person individualized counseling strategies for increasing compliance with mammography. Methods. There were 808 participants who were randomly assigned to one of six groups. A logistic regression model with compliance as the dependent variable and group as the independent variable was used to test for significant differences and a ratio of cost to improvement in mammogram compliance evaluated the cost-effectiveness. Results. Three of the interventions (in-person, telephone plus letter, and in-person plus letter) had significantly better compliance rates compared with the control, physician letter, or telephone alone. However, when considering costs, only one emerged as the superior strategy. The cost-effectiveness ratios for the five interventions show that telephone-plus-letter is the most cost-effective strategy, achieving a 35.6% mammography compliance at a marginal cost of $0.78 per 1% increase in women screened. Conclusions. A tailored phone prompt and physician reminder is an effective and economical intervention to increase mammography. Future research should confirm this finding and address its applicability to practice.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)374-382
Number of pages9
JournalPreventive Medicine
Volume29
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1999

Keywords

  • Compliance rates
  • Cost-effectiveness
  • Mammography screening

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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