Automated Patient Engagement and Tracking for Colorectal Cancer Screening in Primary Care

This project addresses Latvia's critically low uptake of colorectal cancer screening. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the world and one of the leading causes of cancer death, so early detection is essential. However, in 2022, only 19.1% of the Latvian population participated in the screening program, well below the recommended threshold of 45%. Our project is implementing and exploring an automated patient notification system and methods to increase patient engagement and screening uptake. 

We are implementing an automated invitation system that sends personalised notifications based on a behaviour change model. These notifications were tailored using information from detailed interviews with a representative group of patients, ensuring that they were effective and relevant. The project's success will be measured by tracking patient participation and test kit return rates against historical data and control groups. 

By leveraging automated technology to improve patient communication, this project sets a new standard in public health strategies for cancer prevention.

Outcomes

• Original scientific articles published, submitted or accepted for publication in the Q1 or Q2 quartile publications included in Web of Science Core Collection or SCOPUS databases - 2;
• Scientific databases and datasets developed within the project and prepared according to FAIR principles - 1;
• Other new product or technology, software copyrights (including methods, prototypes, treatment and diagnostic methods not to be commercialised, etc.) - 1;
• Policy recommendations and reports on the impact of policies - 1;
• Other project results according to the specific nature of the project complementary to those listed above (including pre-prints) - 2.

Project-related activities

• Participation in the LAMPA Conversation Festival, Cēsis, Latvia. The public discussion “What Can Be Done to Protect Yourself from Cancer? Can It Be Done?” addressed topics related to cancer prevention, early diagnosis and public participation in screening programmes. The discussion themes were closely aligned with the project's objective of increasing colorectal cancer screening uptake through modern patient engagement approaches. (10 July 2026)  
  Video recording of the discussion (in Latvian)
• Potential collaboration partners from both public sector institutions and private companies were identified to support the sustainability and continuation of the project after its completion. Discussions focused on practical opportunities to integrate the developed system into the national eHealth ecosystem, facilitate seamless data exchange with laboratories, and explore the future use of the solution in other preventive healthcare programmes. (Q2 2026)
• Participation in the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC 2026) conference in Lyon, France. A project representative presented the poster “Implementing Automated Patient Tracking and Engagement in General Practice to Improve Colorectal Cancer Screening” to an international audience of cancer research and public health experts. The presentation showcased the project's initial data and preliminary results regarding the practical implementation of an automated patient tracking and engagement system in general practitioner practices. It also highlighted implementation experience, lessons learned from integrating digital tools into primary care, and their potential to increase screening coverage, facilitating professional discussion and knowledge exchange with international cancer research colleagues. (19 May 2026) 
  Conference programme
• Progressive expansion of the system and active data collection in participating general practitioner practices. Alongside the gradual onboarding of practices and the start of platform use, anonymised real-time data are being collected on patient responses to invitation text messages, test kit distribution, sample submission, and subsequent screening outcomes. (Q1 2026)
• Project implementation in participating general practitioner practices was initiated. The selection of participating practices was completed, and deployment of the automated patient engagement system commenced. The project team organised training activities for healthcare professionals, prepared user guidance materials, and launched pilot implementation in real-world primary care settings. Based on the initial piloting phase, the first system improvements and adjustments were introduced in response to feedback received from general practitioners and practice staff. (Q4 2025)
• Participation in the International Conference on Communication in Healthcare (ICCH 2025) in Ontario, Canada. A project representative presented the poster “Evaluating an Automated Patient Engagement System with Behavioural Change Model Based Invitations for Colorectal Cancer Screening Uptake in Latvia”, introducing the automated patient engagement platform and the practical involvement of general practitioner practices in promoting participation in colorectal cancer screening in Latvia. The conference provided an opportunity to discuss project implementation experiences in primary care, exchange knowledge with international researchers, and establish new contacts for future research collaborations. (6 October 2025)
  Conference programme
• Ethical approval for the study was completed, and all required approvals were obtained from the RSU Research Ethics Committee. At the same time, patient informed consent forms were prepared, a data protection assessment was conducted, and personal data processing procedures were established. (Q3 2025)
• Preparatory activities for the implementation of the automated patient engagement system in general practitioner practices were carried out. In cooperation with participating general practitioners and research partners, implementation processes, data collection procedures, and approaches for integrating colorectal cancer screening into the primary healthcare setting were refined. (Q2 2025)
• Participation in the RSU International Student Conference in Health and Social Sciences (RSU ISC 2025), Riga, Latvia. Project representatives delivered an oral presentation entitled “Adopting Behaviour Change Models as Tools to Increase Colorectal Cancer Screening Responsiveness in Latvia”, focusing on the use of behaviour change models to improve participation in colorectal cancer screening in Latvia. The presentation explored communication approaches designed to enhance patient engagement in colorectal cancer screening programmes. (25 March 2025)  
  Conference abstract book
• The project's Data Management Plan (DMP), prepared in accordance with FAIR data management and Open Science principles, was published in the Zenodo open-access repository. (Q1 2025) 
  Data Management Plan  

Project Research Team

PhD Didzis Rūtītis

Acting Lead Researcher, Institute of Public Health
Lecturer, Health Management Lecturer Group

Institute of Public Health

9 Kronvalda bulvāris, Riga

didzis.rutitis@rsu.lv

Assoc. Prof. PhD Anda Ķīvīte-Urtāne

Director, Institute of Public Health
Lead Researcher, Institute of Public Health
Project Manager, Institute of Public Health

Anatomical Theatre

9 Kronvalda bulvāris, Riga

Courtyard building, P–12

+37167060879

anda.kivite-urtane@rsu.lv