Content of SMS reminders to improve uptake in breast screening; An RCT
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Does the wording of text message reminders improve uptake in breast screening? A RCT. \n
IRAS ID
185492
Contact name
Sarah Huf
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 16 days
Research summary
Breast screening is a service offered by the NHS to help detect breast cancer and precancerous changes early at a time when treatment is more likely to be curative. An effective service must reach the ‘at risk’ but asymptomatic population. Engagement with the programme falls consistently below the national average and target in London and specifically in West London. \n\nRoutine text message reminders have proven effective at improving uptake of breast screening appointments. However little attention is paid to the content of the messages. Previous studies of text message reminders in other clinical areas have shown that the content of these messages matters and some text messages are more effective than others. \n\nThis protocol describes the design of a randomized controlled trial to investigate the effect of differently worded text messages on the engagement with breast screening in West London. \n\nTwo intervention arms were designed taking into consideration results of a 1000 woman survey to highlight the behavioural barriers that most predict attendance. The survey tested 15 behavioural constructs and the two that most strongly predicted history of attendance were used to inform the text message content of the intervention arms for this trial. \n\nTo this end, this RCT will test the current standard practice text message reminder against two intervention text message trial arms informed by the above described survey. \nThe setting is West of London Breast Screening Service and women aged 47-73 who are due for screening will be randomized to receive one of the three trial arms. \n\nThe primary outcome is the difference in uptake between trial arms. Further statistical analysis will analyse the difference in uptake by age group, deprivation score and previous attendance status. \n\nResult will inform how small changes to the word content may have significant effects on attendance at screening mammogram appointments. \n
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/YH/0276
Date of REC Opinion
23 Jun 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion