Videos, Computer Programs Appear to Increase Mammography Rate

Videos and interactive computer programs appear to be far more effective than pamphlets in persuading woman to get screened for breast cancer, according to researchers at the University of Georgia and Indiana University.

Researchers explored ways to increase mammography among low-income African American women and found some new methods of communication are more effective than pamphlets in getting women to take action.

"We're really at an age where we're seeing enormous strides in the hard-core medical sciences," said Jeff Springston, associate professor at the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. "We're less successful at convincing people to change their behaviors and make healthy choices."

Previous research has shown that a video is one of the best ways to reach women to educate them about mammography. This study tested to see if a tailored, interactive computer program would be more effective than a video.

The preliminary results of the study indicate that the computer program may be more effective. One month after participating in the study, women who saw the video had a 16 percent rate of mammography, but women who used the computer program had a 20 percent rate. Women in the control group, who received pamphlets available in a doctor's office, had a 6 percent rate.

The video and computer program appeared to be more effective than the standard-care pamphlets as they don't rely on a woman's ability to read, according to the researchers. The video appeared to be less effective than the computer program because of its "one-size-fits-all" approach.

"Women are at different places mentally; some are more fearful than others," said Springston. "Maybe they're worried about a mammogram being painful, or maybe they're concerned that they'll be exposed to too much radiation. There are a number of barriers that have been identified -- not only for African-American women but for women in general -- and the computer program was designed to respond to these individual concerns. If they're not worried about pain, for example, then they don't have to view that aspect of the program. If they do have concerns, then they get information specifically addressing the issue of pain."

Springston is hopeful that this research will help the medical community communicate more effectively about issues beyond breast cancer.

"This could really improve people's lives, particularly when dealing with diseases like breast or prostate or colon cancer, which are highly curable if caught early," said Springston. "It's really just a matter of convincing people to get screened when they're supposed to."

Other Sources: University of Georgia