A study conducted by the University of Rochester Medical Center has identified a potential benefit for women experiencing downtime in emergency rooms. The research focused on addressing the nationwide issue of women falling behind on cervical cancer screenings.
The study targeted women aged 21 to 65 who were visiting the ER for various health issues. During their wait times, these patients were approached to participate in a clinical study involving answering questions about cervical cancer screening using portable tablet-style computers. Participants were subsequently referred to local screening services, with some receiving motivational text message reminders that encouraged them to pursue screenings independently.
The research involved nearly 1,100 ER patients who were not current with their cervical cancer screenings. Results showed that within 150 days, twice as many women obtained screenings compared to historical norms.
David Adler, MD, MPH, senior investigator and professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Rochester, highlighted the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of this approach in promoting cancer screenings. “Whether it’s cervical cancer, lung cancer, or colorectal cancer,” he stated, “the emergency department environment is a rich place to approach people and develop ways to prompt them to get screened and prevent cancer.”
Published in Academic Emergency Medicine, the study addresses what is known as “the Last Mile Problem” by the National Cancer Institute—the organization that funded the research—referring to those eligible for but not up-to-date with cervical cancer screenings.
This initiative holds particular significance for Rochester due to its higher-than-average regional cancer rates. Beau Abar, PhD, an emergency medicine investigator who collaborated on the project with Adler, emphasized the importance of screening: “There’s no doubt that screening saves lives. No one should be dying of cervical cancer.”
The study was executed without disrupting regular emergency services through a team known as Emergency Department Research Associates at Strong Memorial Hospital’s Level 1 trauma center and Noyes Memorial Hospital’s smaller facility in Dansville, NY.
Participants were divided into two groups: one received standard recommendations and referrals; the other also received text-message reminders such as: “Our goal is to do what we can to keep you healthy. One way we can do that is to help make sure you are up-to-date with your cervical cancer screening.” Over five months, researchers found that 20% from the first group pursued screenings while 23% from the text message group did so—twice as high as typical rates based on historical data.
Adler acknowledged challenges but remained optimistic: “We understand that we are not going to get everyone that needs to be screened,” he said. “But every person who does get screened is a win.”
Looking ahead, Adler’s team plans for a larger multicenter study aimed at adapting this model for use in other emergency departments.
