1. Colorectal Cancer Screening Education in The
University of Alabama Family Medicine Residency
Blake DeWitt, M.D., Richard Friend M.D., Louanne Friend, PhD, MN, RN
Drake Lavender M.D., Jane Weida, M.D. , Clifton Scott , M.D.
BACKGROUND
Demographics PGY
Colorectal cancer is the 3rd leading cause of cancer death, but appropriate screening can decrease morbidity and mortality by 60%.
Overall screening rates remain at approximately 60.8% with lower rates in rural populations (USPSTF).
American Academy of Family Physicians is increasing accessibility to this screening through encouragement of well-trained family practitioners to perform colonoscopies in their home communities.
Training does not seem to be the issue as 48% of family medicine residency programs state they have capacity to train residents on colonoscopy but only 18% of those have trained one or more residents to do so, as reported by the STFM.
Discussion
The two hour educational intervention had a positive effect on resident knowledge and attitudes regarding primary care physicians performing screening colonoscopies.
Post Survey Colorectal Screening
Pre Survey Colorectal Screening
Recommendations for Future Education, Practice and Research:
A longitudinal endoscopy curriculum should be implemented at The UA Family Medicine Residency. This training could be offered to other PCPS in the state of Alabama to increase screening opportunities for rural patients.
A quality improvement initiative to increase the numbers of patients currently being referred to primary care practitioners should be implemented.
Study Aims
1. To assess residents’ baseline knowledge of colorectal cancer screening guidelines.
2. To measure residents’ opinions of family physicians performing screening colonoscopies.
3. To measure residents’ intentions to refer clients to a family practitioner for screening colonoscopy upon graduation.
Pre-Survey: What is Your Opinion of Primary Care Physicians Performing Endoscopies?
Post Survey: What is Your Opinion of Primary
Method
University IRB approval was obtained prior to data collection.
A convenience sample of family medicine residents was utilized to measure the effects of an educational presentation on evidenced based guidelines regarding colorectal cancer screening.
An 11item researcher developed instrument was utilized to measure family medicine interns and residents’ knowledge and attitudes regarding colorectal cancer screening before and after a two hour educational intervention.
Surveys were completed with paper and pencil for the the pre-survey and were distributed using Qualtrics for the post survey.
Data was analyses using SPSS version 22(IBM Corp).
Pre-Survey: In Your Future Practice, Would You Be Willing to Refer Your Client to a Family Practitioner for Screening Colonoscopy?
Post Survey: Would You Refer?
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