Better follow-up colonoscopies for Veterans with colorectal polyps
Addressing Under- and Overuse of Colorectal Neoplasia Surveillance Among Veterans
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · RLR VA MEDICAL CENTER · NIH-11140996
This project will create and pilot a program to help Veterans with past colorectal growths get the right follow-up colonoscopies — not too many and not too few.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | RLR VA MEDICAL CENTER (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (INDIANAPOLIS, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11140996 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you are a Veteran who previously had colorectal polyps or other precancerous growths, this team will look at how follow-up colonoscopies are scheduled and used and identify why some people get too many while others get too few. They will design and pilot a targeted program inside VA clinics to improve how surveillance appointments are prioritized, how reminders and risk information are shared, and how limited colonoscopy resources are allocated. The work will use VA medical records and may include interviews or feedback from patients and clinicians to shape the intervention. The goal is to make sure high-risk Veterans receive timely surveillance while low-risk Veterans avoid unnecessary procedures.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are Veterans receiving care in the VA who have a history of colorectal neoplasia (such as polyps) and are due for surveillance follow-up.
Not a fit: Patients without a history of colorectal neoplasia or those who get care outside the VA system are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reduce unnecessary colonoscopies for low-risk Veterans and increase timely surveillance for high-risk Veterans, improving access and lowering colorectal cancer risk.
How similar studies have performed: Previous guideline-driven and quality-improvement efforts have reduced inappropriate testing in some settings, but targeted programs that address both overuse and underuse within the VA are limited and have shown mixed results.
Where this research is happening
INDIANAPOLIS, UNITED STATES
- RLR VA MEDICAL CENTER — INDIANAPOLIS, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: MARATT, JENNIFER KAUR — RLR VA MEDICAL CENTER
- Study coordinator: MARATT, JENNIFER KAUR
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions: Barrett Syndrome, Cancers