Workflow Services expands colorectal cancer screening education program for pharmacies
Workflow Services, a platform to enable pharmacist-led clinical services, has completed a one-year pilot program and is expanding its Colorectal Cancer Screening Education Program. The goal of this initiative is to educate patients about the importance of colorectal cancer screening in the pharmacy setting.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, yet when detected early, it is highly treatable in about 90% of cases, Workflow Services said. The expansion of this program has significant potential to bridge the gap in preventive care because of the community pharmacy’s unique position as many Americans’ most accessible, trusted and frequently visited healthcare provider. Since 25% of Americans don’t have a primary care provider, many patients lack critical information about health screenings. However, with 90% of Americans living within five miles of a pharmacy, it is a convenient location to provide healthcare information from a trusted source.
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In the pilot, 92% of the participating pharmacists reported increased proficiency in their ability to educate patients about the impact of colorectal cancer screening.
“The data we collected in the pilot shows that we are unlocking a new, impactful healthcare channel,” said Kevin Houlihan, president and CEO of Workflow Services. “Access is one of the major challenges currently confronting the American healthcare system. And we’ve seen that by providing pharmacists with the right tools and guardrails in a platform like Workflow Services, we can make a real difference in closing care gaps and driving health outcomes.”
Following the pilot program’s success, pharmacies across the country will now be able to use the Workflow Services platform to integrate colorectal cancer screening education seamlessly into their patient encounters. By providing a trusted touchpoint for healthcare conversations, pharmacists can help patients take proactive steps toward early cancer detection.
"We’ve designed a low-lift solution that reduces staff burden," said Rebecca Liggon, director of pharmacy engagement at Workflow Services. "It allows pharmacists to easily support colorectal cancer screening with minimal disruption, backed by the necessary education and resources."
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Workflow Services noted that for patients with average risk factors, the American Cancer Society recommends colorectal cancer screening starting at age 45.