Improving access to colonoscopy for rural communities
Official title: Rural Community Support for Colonoscopy
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11079641 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how helping people in rural and low-income areas can make it easier for them to get colonoscopies after a positive stool test, by providing support and resources to overcome challenges like transportation and understanding the procedure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | March 8, 2021 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $514,296 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA254515-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11079641 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are rural and low-income individuals who have received a positive FIT result and face barriers to completing a colonoscopy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who live in urban areas or those who have already completed their colonoscopy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how patient navigation can help rural and low-income individuals complete colonoscopy procedures after receiving a positive fecal immunochemical test (FIT) result. It addresses barriers such as lack of local providers, transportation issues, and socioeconomic challenges by providing personalized support and education. The program aims to enhance understanding of the procedure and its importance in colorectal cancer screening, ultimately increasing the number of patients who undergo necessary screenings. By connecting patients with community resources and offering motivational support, the research seeks to improve health outcomes in these underserved populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly increase the rate of colonoscopy completion among rural and low-income patients, leading to earlier detection and prevention of colorectal cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that patient navigation can effectively improve healthcare access and outcomes, suggesting a promising approach for this study.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cole, Allison — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Cole, Allison
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Colonoscopy with light-based tissue fingerprints to detect colorectal cancer
This project tests a new imaging method during colonoscopy to better spot and classify colorectal lesions in adults undergoing routine screening.
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Improving colonoscopy training with sensorized manikins and computer coaching
This project builds realistic sensor-equipped practice manikins and a computer coach to help doctors learn colonoscopy skills faster and more safely.
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Video-based tool to boost colonoscopy quality for low-volume doctors
A new, AI-assisted video-based approach helps lower-volume colonoscopy doctors perform higher-quality screenings to catch polyps and reduce cancer risk.
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Support to help people in rural areas get a colonoscopy
This project tests whether one-on-one patient navigation helps adults in rural, low-income communities complete a colonoscopy after a positive stool (FIT) test.
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Helping people complete colonoscopy after an abnormal stool test
This project uses team-based care and technology to help people with an abnormal at-home stool test (FIT) finish their follow-up colonoscopy.
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Helping people get recommended follow-up colonoscopies after high-risk colon polyps
This program uses electronic records and automated reminders to help patients and doctors complete the recommended three-year follow-up colonoscopy after high-risk colorectal polyps.
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.