To determine the effect of provider contact on clinically-indicated follow-up for imaging findings potentially representing cancer. Our primary variable is 1) rates of clinically indicated imaging and pathology follow-up completed within recommended time interval, before contacting the provider and 2) rates of clinically-indicated follow-up completed after the recommended time interval, after contacting the provider. Our secondary outcome variable is utilization of abdominal imaging and biopsy/surgery associated with potential imaging findings of cancer before and after provider contact (Appendix A). We focus on this downstream utilization because of the importance of this outcome in assessing comparative effectiveness of automated monitoring. In addition, we will measure overall utilization and costs of diagnostic tests and procedures before and after provider contact.
