{
  "abstract": "Background Singapore’s national colorectal cancer screening programme refers individuals with positive faecal immunochemical test (FIT) results for follow-up colonoscopy. However, prior work estimated only 20.0% compliance. This ongoing study examined whether a telephone-based verbal intervention improves appointment arrangement compared to appointment facilitation alone. Methods Eligible individuals were (1) FIT-positive, (2) referred to our institution, and (3) refused follow-up between 6-12 months prior to the study period. Individuals were cluster randomised by referral month to control or intervention groups. The intervention group received a tailored intervention addressing their concerns. The control group received standard appointment facilitation. Baseline sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., age, gender) were collected. The primary outcome was agreement to the appointment arrangement.Results Among 96 individuals contacted, 52% were male and 48% were female; the mean age was 65.7 ± 8.2. 13/51 (25.5%) control group and 14/45 (31.1%) intervention group participants agreed for follow-up appointment; this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.54). Although income distribution differed between groups at baseline (p = 0.045), the adjusted intervention effect remained non-significant (OR 2.23, 95% CI 0.65–7.72; p = 0.28). No other sociodemographic characteristics were significantly associated between groups (all p > 0.05).Conclusions Tailored verbal intervention was not advantageous over appointment facilitation alone. However, calling individuals who initially declined follow-up yielded approximately 25.0-30.0% conversion. The role of simple telephone outreach in improving FIT-positive follow-up warrants evaluation in larger studies.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "National University of Singapore, Singapore"
      ],
      "name": "Bei En Siew"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "National University of Singapore, Singapore"
      ],
      "name": "Kai Xuan Chan"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "National University of Singapore, Singapore"
      ],
      "name": "Win Kiat Lim"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "National University of Singapore, Singapore"
      ],
      "name": "Jerrald Lau"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "National University of Singapore, Singapore"
      ],
      "name": "Ker Kan Tan"
    }
  ],
  "title": "IDDF2026-ABS-0139 Effectiveness of telephone-based intervention to improve follow-up in FIT-positive individuals",
  "uid": "4018394f-399e-5e7a-9360-1971124fa5b7"
}