Family Physicians’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Toward Colorectal Cancer Screening

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess family physicians' knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. The population in this cross-sectional study consisted of 290 family physicians working in Samsun, Turkey, contacted between 15 June and 15 July 2015 and agreeing to participate. A questionnaire prepared by the authors on the basis of the relevant literature was applied at face-to-face interviews. The first part of the questionnaire inquired into sociodemographic information, while the second contained questions evaluating family physicians' knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward CRC screening. Physicians completed the questionnaire in approximately 10 min. 65.9 % of the family physicians in the study were men. Mean age of the participants was 43.40 ± 6.54 years, and mean number of years in service was 18.43 ± 6.42. The average number of patients seen by physicians on a daily basis was 51-99. CRC screening was performed by 83.1 % of physicians. The fecal occult blood test (FOBT) was recommended at the correct frequency by 30.7 % of physicians and colonoscopy by 11.7 %. A further 68.6 % of physicians followed no CRC guideline. Only 3.8 % of those reporting using a guideline were able to name it. The great majority of physicians in this study apply CRC screening. However, family physicians lack sufficient information concerning the ages at which screening tests should be started and concluded and how frequently they should be performed. They also do not attach sufficient importance to CRC guidelines. This results in excessive demand for screening tests.

Engagement of General Practice in an Australian Organised Bowel Cancer Screening Program: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Knowledge and Practice

“…A FOBT screening recommendation from a family physician/GP is the most influential factor in a patient's participation in CRC screening (Cole et al, 2002;Zajac et al, 2010). Yet, variation in practitioner screening knowledge and attitude appears to influence their CRC screening practice (Perin et al, 2015;Dawson et al, 2017;Şahin and Aker, 2017), although Australian studies pre-date the NBCSP implementation (Youl et al, 2006).…”

GPs’ perspectives on colorectal cancer screening and their potential influence on FIT-positive patients: an exploratory qualitative study from a Dutch context

“…In France, for example, which also has a population-based FIT screening programme, individuals who receive an invitation to screen need to request the FIT from their GP. 9 In countries with opportunistic screening programs (like the US, 10 Italy, 11 and Turkey), 12 the initiative to screen may lie entirely in the hands of the GP or the individual.…”

“…It is internationally well-documented that physicians' attitudes, recommendations, and behaviour may influence their patients’ decisions to participate in CRC screening and having follow-up after a positive FIT result. 7,9,12,18–22 For instance, it has been reported that GPs can increase screening participation among their patients: providing GPs with a list of non-adhering patients contributes to slightly higher rates of uptake of FIT, 20 GP involvement instead of hospital involvement can increase CRC screening participation, 11 and a GP-endorsed reminder letter is more effective than a standard reminder letter in increasing uptake in CRC screening. 23,24…”

Knowledge, attitude, and practices of primary health care physicians toward colorectal cancer screening

“…[ 1 ] The two studies demonstrated that most physicians were aware of methods of CRC screening, but have low belief in the effect of screening on CRC occurrence, confusion about how methods of screening are performed, and insufficient information concerning the ages and frequency of screening. [ 13 14 ] Similar data specific to the primary health care community in KSA is lacking.…”