Involving future users in developing colorectal cancer screening interventions: a case study

Abstract

Background: Discussing research findings with future users of colorectal cancer screening provides an opportunity to prioritise ideas for further research and intervention development. This interactive session will present a case study of an effort to disseminate research results to future users of colorectal screening and explore possible strategies for intervention. The audience will be invited to engage in group work to reflect on the case study, their own experience, and generate ideas for future research and dissemination. Methods: Women (n=12, 52-61 years) and men (n=16, 50-69 years) who had not previously completed colorectal cancer screening participated in four single-sex focus groups in Glasgow. Participants were briefly informed of recent research exploring barriers to colorectal cancer screening, and invited to discuss potential solutions. Transcripts of the audio-recordings were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings: Participants valued learning about the study. They emphasised that making colorectal screening easier to complete or screening information more compelling could increase colorectal screening participation. Participants preferred text message reminders over telephone counselling to help them make screening decisions and suggested education campaigns using social media. However, participants found it challenging to describe their intervention ideas in detail. Discussion: Future users of colorectal cancer screening provided helpful feedback and suggestions for interventions. It may be challenging for participants to generate detailed intervention strategies in the limited time of a focus group meeting. These findings and key questions for future work involving future users, intervention development and wider dissemination of research results will be discussed with the Symposium audience.