This study is a randomized controlled field experiment embedded in the medical institution Early Diagnosis Program in Chile. Participants with two exams pending (a cancer screening test and a chronic disease test for diabetes and dyslipidemia) will be randomly assigned across a 3 × 3 factorial design: three message framing conditions (Basic, Risk/Importance, Peace of Mind) crossed with three exam-type conditions (cancer screening only, chronic disease test only, or both exams). Participants with only a cancer screening pending will be assigned to the 3 framing conditions and be encouraged to get the cancer screening.
In both cases, participants are assigned to each experimental arm at twice the rate of an additional arm receiving the standard message currently used by the medical institution. This standard-message arm is included for operational purposes, is not part of the pre-specified analyses, and is thus not described in the "Arms and Intervention" section (or counted for "number of arms").
Has at least one pending cancer screening (breast, colorectal, cervical, or prostate) within the contact window, as determined by the medical institution
Aged 21 to 74 years
Has a valid phone number on file
Eligibility is determined operationally before randomization (ex-ante)
Participants whose WhatsApp message was not successfully delivered, as reported by the third-party software used by the medical institution.
Factorial
Basic cancer screening message
BehavioralPatients receive a WhatsApp message naming their recommended cancer screening exam and describing it as the test recommended for their age group.
Basic chronic disease test message
BehavioralPatients receive a WhatsApp message naming the recommended chronic disease test and describing it as the test recommended for their age group.
Basic combined message
BehavioralPatients receive a WhatsApp message naming both the recommended cancer screening and the chronic disease test, and describing them as the tests recommended for their age group.
Risk framing cancer screening message
BehavioralPatients receive a WhatsApp message naming their recommended cancer screening exam and emphasizing that (1) the recommendation is based on health risks common to their age group and (2) early detection can be life-saving
Risk framing chronic disease test message
BehavioralPatients receive a WhatsApp message naming the recommended chronic disease test and emphasizing that (1) the recommendation is based on health risks common to their age group and (2) early detection can be life-saving.
Risk framing combined message
BehavioralPatients receive a WhatsApp message naming both exams and emphasizing that (1) the recommendation is based on health risks common to their age group and (2) early detection can be life-saving.
Peace of mind framing cancer screening message
BehavioralPatients receive a WhatsApp message naming their recommended cancer screening exam and emphasizing that getting the exam done on time will give them peace of mind about their health.
Peace of mind framing chronic disease test message
BehavioralPatients receive a WhatsApp message naming the recommended chronic disease and emphasizing that getting the exam done on time will give them peace of mind about their health.
Peace of mind framing combined message
BehavioralPatients receive a WhatsApp message naming both exams and emphasizing that getting the exams done on time will give them peace of mind about their health.
9
Treatment groupsSee each treatment group below.
Screening Engagement Response
Binary indicator of whether the patient clicks "Yes, I want help" or provides an equivalent affirmative response via WhatsApp within 7 days of receiving the message (1), or does not take either action (0). Used to test H1a, H1b, H1c, and H2a.
Cancer Screening Appointment
Binary indicator of whether the patient schedules the recommended cancer screening exam within 7 days of receiving the message (1) or does not (0). Used to test H2b
Chronic Disease Testing Appointment
Binary indicator of whether the patient schedules the recommended chronic disease test within 7 days of receiving the message (1) or does not (0). Used to test H2c.
Screening Appointment Scheduling
Binary indicator of whether the patient schedules the specific test recommended in the message within 7 days of receiving it (1) or does not (0). Used to test H1a, H1b, and H1c.
Screening Test Completion
Binary indicator of whether the patient completes the specific test recommended in the message within 12 weeks of receiving it (1) or does not (0). Used to test H1a, H1b, and H1c
Any Test Appointment Scheduling
Binary indicator of whether the patient schedules any of the tests recommended in the message within 7 days of receiving it (1) or does not (0). Used to test H2a.
Any Test Completion
Binary indicator of whether the patient completes any of the tests recommended in the message within 12 weeks of receiving it (1) or does not (0). Used to test H2a.
Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.
This trial is not recruiting at the moment. You can still explore other options:
