Senologie - Zeitschrift für Mammadiagnostik und -therapie 2009; 6 - A31
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1224955

Telephonic counselling improves attendance rate of mammograpic screening

S Fochler 1, W Hoffmann 2, M Domin 3, S Weiß 2, U Bick 4, N Hosten 3
  • 1Greifswald, Deutschland
  • 2Institut für Community Medicine, Versorgungsepidemiologie und Community Health, Greifswald, Deutschland
  • 3Universitätsklinikum Greifswald der Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Universität Greifswald AÖR, Institut für Diagnostische Radiologie und Neuroradiologie, Greifswald, Deutschland
  • 4Klinik für Strahlenheilkunde, Campus Charité Virchow-Klinikum, Institut für Radiologie, Berlin, Deutschland

Purpose: Does a telephone call based on motivational interviewing increase attendance at mammography screening in women who had not responded to a first written invitation better than a second letter?

Methods and Materials: Women who had not responded to a written invitation to attend the free German community-based mammography screening program were included into this prospective study. They were randomized into controls who got a second invitation letter only and into a treatment group which was contacted by telephone. The interview was conducted by a person trained in motivational interviewing. It was standardized, structured and allowed for on-line documentation of women's questions and answers in a data bank. Statistical evaluation was by chi-square test. The local ethics committee approved the study. This study was supported by Deutsche Krebshilfe (grant 107,992).

Results: 6.528 women who had not responded to a first written invitation were randomized (treatment 2.457, controls 3.071). Of the treatment group, telephone numbers were available for 1.621 (66%). 979 of these (40% of the treatment group) were contacted by telephone between february and july, 2008. Of 6.528 randomized women, 710 (30%, treatment) and 780 women (25%, controls) took part following either letter or letter plus call. Of the 979 women who were counselled by telephone, 492 (50.26%) attended mammography vs. 25% of all the controls (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Counselling by telephone raises attendance rates in mammography screening significantly better than a second invitation letter. Non-availability of telephone numbers limits the usefulness of counselling.