Development of an Educational Video to Improve Patient Knowledge and Communication with Their Healthcare Providers about Colorectal Cancer Screening

Background: Low rates of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening persist due to individual, provider, and system level barriers. Purpose: To develop and obtain initial feedback about a CRC screening educational video from community members and medical professionals. Methods: Focus groups of patients were conducted prior to the development of the CRC screening video, patient focus groups provided initial feedback about the video and medical personnel made recommendations prior to final video editing. Results: Patients identified CRC screening barriers and made suggestions about information to include in the video. Patients suggested using a doctor to state the importance of CRC screening, demonstrate how to complete the fecal occult blood test and that men and women from diverse ethnic groups and races could appear in the same video. Participants reviewed the video and thought it included their suggestions, was culturally appropriate and the information was easy to understand. Medical personnel suggested ways to improve the content and delivery of the information prior to final video editing. Discussion: Participants provided valuable information in the production of a video to improve patient knowledge and patient-provider communication about CRC screening. The video developed was based on the Protection Motivation Theory and addressed CRC screening barriers identified in this mostly minority and low-income patient population. Future research will determine if CRC screening increases among patients who watch the educational video. Translation to Health Education Practice: Educational videos can provide important information about CRC and CRC screening to average-risk adults.