Module 3: Connect

Woman connecting on mobile device

Connecting with patients through provision of cancer screening reminders is an important preventative activity.

Patients who are reminded by their GP are more likely to screen.¹
The RACGP’s Putting prevention into practice lists organisational change and targeted reminders systems as the two most effective implementation strategies for improving preventative care in general practice (p.42).²

Module 3 provides an example of a cancer screening workflow that systematises:

family history taking
cancer screening reminders for all eligible patients
integration of screening with activities that support improved patient care and business outcomes (e.g. General Practitioner Management Plans (GPMPs) and health assessments).

Steps 2 to 8 of Module 3 provide helpful information that supports implementation of the workflow, including:

simple organisational changes that your practice can make to ensure your cancer screening recall and reminder systems are effective and sustainable
patient communication templates and software instructions.

“In recent weeks, we have had three women diagnosed with breast cancer after being actively reminded to attend BreastScreen NSW by our practice. All of these women admitted that, if not prompted, they are not sure they would have booked for screening, and who knows what the outcome would have been. Now they are all receiving treatment and have a good prognosis. They are so appreciative of that simple phone call we made. This makes what we are doing feel so worthwhile.” 3

– Practice nurse, AB Surgery, West Kempsey