NCT05000619

Brief Summary

The goal of this study is to determine the most effective messages for encouraging patients with chronic conditions, who have not seen their doctor in at least one year, to return to the clinic. Study participants will receive postcards or letters encouraging them to make an appointment. Researchers will assess whether messages increase appointment scheduling (and attendance).

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
21,562

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Jul 2021

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

July 12, 2021

Completed
21 days until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

August 2, 2021

Completed
9 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

August 11, 2021

Completed
15 days until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

August 26, 2021

Completed
1 year until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

August 26, 2022

Completed
Last Updated

December 1, 2022

Status Verified

November 1, 2022

Enrollment Period

2 months

First QC Date

August 2, 2021

Last Update Submit

November 29, 2022

Conditions

Health PromotionPreventionRisk Reduction Behavior

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Patients - Appointment scheduling

    Proportion of Geisinger patients who schedule an appointment

    30 days

Secondary Outcomes (8)

  • Patients - Appointment scheduling - Comparing mailers

    30 days

  • Patients - Attendance at scheduled appointments within 180 days of mailer

    180 days

  • Patients, Members & Medicaid - Attendance at any appointment

    30 days

  • Patients, Members & Medicaid - Attendance at any appointment

    90 days

  • Patients, Members & Medicaid - Attendance at any appointment

    180 days

  • +3 more secondary outcomes

Other Outcomes (2)

  • Patients - Appointment scheduling - Comparing mailers

    14 days

  • Patients - Calls to scheduling line

    30 days

Study Arms (4)

Outreach Postcard

EXPERIMENTAL

This group receives a postcard with a stock image on the front and a message encouraging regular visits to manage health on the back.

Behavioral: Outreach mailer

Humorous Postcard

EXPERIMENTAL

This group receives a postcard with with a cartoon image and a visit-related joke on the front and a humorous message on the back, with additional information about why visits are important, and what to expect at the appointment.

Behavioral: Outreach mailerBehavioral: Humor/SalienceBehavioral: Information

Physician Letter

EXPERIMENTAL

This group receives a personalized letter signed by a physician with information about why visits are important, and what to expect at the appointment.

Behavioral: Outreach mailerBehavioral: Doctor's authorityBehavioral: Information

No-contact Control

NO INTERVENTION

This group will not receive a study mailer during the trial.

Interventions

Outreach mailerBEHAVIORAL

Postcard or letter

Humorous PostcardOutreach PostcardPhysician Letter
Humor/SalienceBEHAVIORAL

Funny cartoon

Humorous Postcard
Doctor's authorityBEHAVIORAL

Letter from a doctor

Physician Letter
InformationBEHAVIORAL

Information about benefits of the appointment

Humorous PostcardPhysician Letter

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Geisinger patient, Geisinger Health Plan member or Medicaid patient
  • Chronic illness
  • No appointment for \> 1 year

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Geisinger

Danville, Pennsylvania, 17822, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Risk Reduction Behavior

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Study Officials

  • Amir Goren, PhD

    Geisinger Clinic

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
DOUBLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER
Masking Details
Participants will not be informed specifically of their assignment to different arms throughout the study. Providers who conduct appointments will not be randomized to study arms or informed of patient assignment.
Purpose
HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Program Director, Behavioral Insights Team

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

August 2, 2021

First Posted

August 11, 2021

Study Start

July 12, 2021

Primary Completion

August 26, 2021

Study Completion

August 26, 2022

Last Updated

December 1, 2022

Record last verified: 2022-11

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will share

Data with no personally identifiable information will be made available to other researchers on the Open Science Framework for transparency.

Shared Documents
SAP, ANALYTIC CODE
Time Frame
The data will become available after publication of study results in a scientific journal and will be available as long as the Open Science Framework hosts the data.
Access Criteria
The data on the Open Science Framework will be open to anyone requesting that information.
More information

Locations

US(1)