Increasing screening mammography among predominantly Spanish speakers at a federally qualified health center using a brief previsit video

Objective: Assess the impact of a 5 min video on screening mammogram referrals and completion. Methods: We recruited women ages 40 years or older without a current mammogram at a federally qualified community health center (FQHC). Women were assigned to the intervention or usual care. Immediately prior to their appointments, women in the intervention group viewed a brief video that included a demonstration of how patients may request a mammogram referral. All women completed a pre- and post-visit telephone survey about knowledge of breast cancer screening and patient activation. Results: Mean age was 52 years, 50% had less than a high school education and 75% preferred Spanish. The proportion of mammogram referrals in the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group, 37% vs. 15%, respectively (p < 0.01). Similarly, the intervention group had a higher proportion of completed mammograms, 33% vs. 13% (p < 0.02). There were no differences in breast cancer knowledge or patient activation between the intervention and control groups. Conclusions: A brief, pre-visit video significantly increased screening mammography referrals and completion in this mostly Spanish-speaking FQHC population. Practice implications: Our intervention demonstrates the effectiveness of a brief-video intervention in a population with low education and low English language proficiency.