Text Message Reminder to Improve Annual Mammogram Screening Participation

Abstract

Problem: American Cancer Society recommends annual mammogram screening for women between 45 to 54 years. At a small, independent, primary care clinic, between June 1, 2022, and August 31, 2022, 11% (n=4) of the patients ages 45 to 54 years (n=35) who attended annual exams completed their recommended annual mammogram. Purpose: This Quality Improvement (QI) project implemented a cost-effective text message reminder system and health promotion education on breast cancer screening over 15 weeks in the fall of 2022. The initiative aimed to improve mammogram screening participation among women between 45 to 54 years at the clinic by more than 50%. Methods: Using a validated educational pamphlet, providers educated women 45 to 54 years who attended their annual physical and were overdue for their annual mammogram screening. Patients received Google Voice text message reminders one week after their annual physical visit. A second follow-up reminder was sent in two weeks, and a third one in the next two weeks if the patient still did not have a scheduled mammogram. Results: Twenty-eight patients met eligibility criteria, of which 93% (n=26) received text message reminders. Of the 26 patients who received text message reminders, 38% (n=10) responded, indicating they had scheduled their mammogram, and 27% (n=7) completed their mammogram, following a total of 61 text message reminders. Conclusions: When compared to the baseline annual mammogram participation rate of 11% to the QI project participation rate of 27%, there was an increase of 145% in the annual mammogram participation rate. Of the patients who scheduled their mammogram (n=10), 70% completed their mammogram during the 15 weeks (n=7). Text message reminder is a simple, cost-effective, and sustainable method to improve annual mammogram screening participation in primary care.