Project COALESCE—An Example of Academic Institutions as Conveners of Community-Clinic Partnerships to Improve Cancer Screening Access

Katherine Y. Tossas, Savannah Reitzel, Katelyn Schifano, Charlotte Garrett, Kathy Hurt, Michelle Rosado, Robert A. Winn and Maria D. Thomson
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Katherine Y. Tossas: Department of Health Behavior and Policy, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
Savannah Reitzel: Department of Health Behavior and Policy, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
Katelyn Schifano: Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
Charlotte Garrett: Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
Kathy Hurt: Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
Michelle Rosado: Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
Robert A. Winn: Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
Maria D. Thomson: Department of Health Behavior and Policy, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 2, 1-12

Abstract: In Virginia, 56% of colorectal cancers (CRC) are diagnosed late, making it one of three enduring CRC mortality hotspots in the US. Cervical cancer (CCa) exhibits a similar pattern, with 48% late-stage diagnosis. Mortality for these cancers is worse for non-Latinx/e(nL)-Black people relative to nL-White people in Virginia, but preventable with equitable screening access and timely diagnostic follow-up. However, structural barriers, such as fractured referral systems and extended time between medical visits, remain. Because Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) care for a large proportion of racial and ethnic minorities, and underserved communities, regardless of ability to pay, they are ideal partners to tackle structural barriers to cancer screenings. We piloted a quality improvement initiative at five FQHCs in southcentral Virginia to identify and address structural, race-related barriers to CRC, as well as CCa screening and diagnostic follow-up using evidence-based approaches. Uniquely, FQHCs were paired with local community organizations in a didactic partnership, to elevate the community’s voice while together, increase support, acceptance, uptake, and intervention sustainability. We report on project development, and share preliminary data within the context of project goals, namely, to increase cancer screenings by 5–10%, improve knowledge and diagnostic follow-up processes, and build longitudinal partnerships.

Keywords: quality improvement collaborative; didactic partnerships; early detection of cancer; colorectal neoplasm; cervical neoplasm; implementation science; community health centers; community organizations; academic-community partnership; community outreach and engagement (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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