# Using Context to Improve Implementation of Evidenced-based Interventions for Colorectal Cancer Screening in Rural Primary Care (Precise CRC)

> **NIH NIH K07** · OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $170,640

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Candidate: Dr. Melinda Davis has a PhD in social developmental psychology and is a Research Assistant
Professor in the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) School of Medicine (Department of Family
Medicine) and Assistant Professor in the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health (Health Behavior). She is the
Director of Community Engaged Research for the Oregon Rural Practice-based Research Network (ORPRN)
at OHSU. This K07 builds upon her applied experience as a practice facilitator and participatory researcher,
addresses critical gaps in scientific training, and provides pilot data for an R01 submission in year 3 in
response to PAR-16-238. Guided by a multidisciplinary team of mentors, Dr. Davis will, through this K07,
consolidate her skills in implementation science, mixed-methods, and cancer prevention and control. She will
also secure her transition to research independence.
Research Focus: Bridging the gap between knowledge of evidence based interventions (EBIs) and
application in “real world” settings is a critical issue in cancer prevention and control research. Screening for
colorectal cancer (CRC) saves lives, yet disparities exist for rural and low-income populations. Although direct
mail (DM) programs can increase CRC screening rates by nearly 40%, this EBI is not yet routine practice.
Moreover, implementation and intervention outcomes vary widely across settings. Research is needed to
inform how best to scale DM programs and to support follow-up colonoscopy on positive fecal tests. Guided by
the social ecological model and consolidated framework for implementation research we propose three aims:
 Aim 1: Identify factors associated with higher levels of primary care practice readiness to implement direct
 mail programs to increase colorectal cancer (CRC) screening.
 H1: Leadership culture and higher levels of adaptive reserve will be associated with readiness.
 Aim 2: Pilot test tailored implementation support for a direct mail program in four rural primary care
 practices clustered in one Medicaid Accountable Care Organization (ACO).
 Aim 3: Elucidate barriers, facilitators, and adaptations to direct mail program components and the
 associated impact on implementation and intervention outcomes.
Training Goals: The training proposed fills critical gaps to enable Dr. Davis to conduct trials to improve the
identification, adaptation, and implementation of EBIs to improve cancer prevention in rural primary care. The
mentoring, training, and research aims ensure scientific growth in three areas: (1) Knowledge of advanced
implementation science research methods; (2) Mixed methods research design and analysis; and (3) Leading
multidisciplinary teams in cancer prevention and control.
Environment: The OHSU Department of Family Medicine provides institutional support for this K07. Research
and training activities also utilize the robust infrastructure of the Oregon Rural Practice-based Research
Network (ORPRN), Oregon Clinical and ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9987288
- **Project number:** 5K07CA211971-04
- **Recipient organization:** OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Melinda Marie Davis
- **Activity code:** K07 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $170,640
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-08-01 → 2021-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9987288

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9987288, Using Context to Improve Implementation of Evidenced-based Interventions for Colorectal Cancer Screening in Rural Primary Care (Precise CRC) (5K07CA211971-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9987288. Licensed CC0.

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