Variation in colorectal cancer testing between primary care physicians: a cross-sectional study in Switzerland.
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BORIS DOI
Publisher DOI
PubMed ID
31201428
Description
OBJECTIVES
To determine the proportion of 50-75-year-old patients who visit a primary care physician's (PCP) office and were tested for colorectal cancer (CRC) by either colonoscopy within 10 years or fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) within 2 years. To describe the variation in care between PCPs and factors associated with these proportions.
METHODS
Cross-sectional data collected between April and December 2017.
PARTICIPANTS
PCPs reporting for the Swiss Sentinel Surveillance Network. Each PCP collected demographic data and CRC testing status from 40 consecutive patients.
MEASUREMENTS
proportions of patients up to date with CRC screening and method used (colonoscopy/FOBT/Other); variation in the outcome measures between PCPs; association of physician-level factors with main outcomes.
RESULTS
91/129 PCPs collected data from 3451 patients; 45% had been tested for CRC within recommended intervals (41% colonoscopy, 4% FOBT). The proportions of patients tested and testing with colonoscopy versus FOBT varied widely between PCPs. Language region was associated with PCPs' rate of FOBT prescription.
CONCLUSIONS
Less than half of patients who visited PCPs in Switzerland were tested for CRC within recommended intervals. PCPs varied widely in their testing practices.
To determine the proportion of 50-75-year-old patients who visit a primary care physician's (PCP) office and were tested for colorectal cancer (CRC) by either colonoscopy within 10 years or fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) within 2 years. To describe the variation in care between PCPs and factors associated with these proportions.
METHODS
Cross-sectional data collected between April and December 2017.
PARTICIPANTS
PCPs reporting for the Swiss Sentinel Surveillance Network. Each PCP collected demographic data and CRC testing status from 40 consecutive patients.
MEASUREMENTS
proportions of patients up to date with CRC screening and method used (colonoscopy/FOBT/Other); variation in the outcome measures between PCPs; association of physician-level factors with main outcomes.
RESULTS
91/129 PCPs collected data from 3451 patients; 45% had been tested for CRC within recommended intervals (41% colonoscopy, 4% FOBT). The proportions of patients tested and testing with colonoscopy versus FOBT varied widely between PCPs. Language region was associated with PCPs' rate of FOBT prescription.
CONCLUSIONS
Less than half of patients who visited PCPs in Switzerland were tested for CRC within recommended intervals. PCPs varied widely in their testing practices.
Date of Publication
2019-09
Publication Type
Article
Subject(s)
600 - Technology::610 - Medicine & health
300 - Social sciences, sociology & anthropology::360 - Social problems & social services
Keyword(s)
Colorectal cancer Decision making Practice variation Primary care Screening
Language(s)
en
Contributor(s)
Dvořák, Charles | |
Biller-Andorno, Nikola | |
Bulliard, Jean-Luc | |
Cornuz, Jacques | |
Selby, Kevin |
Additional Credits
Berner Institut für Hausarztmedizin (BIHAM)
Series
International journal of public health
Publisher
Springer
ISSN
1661-8556
Access(Rights)
open.access