title: Education improves colonoscopy appropriateness.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Appropriateness in GI endoscopy is critical to face the rising amount of demands. Education of physicians has been advocated to reduce the level of inappropriateness.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Our purpose was to assess the effectiveness of an educational program in determining a reduction of inappropriate colonoscopies in an open access system.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A single endoscopy unit in Italy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 495 consecutive outpatients referred to our endoscopy unit by family physicians for diagnostic colonoscopy before the educational course and 522 after its completion, for a total of 1017 patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Inappropriate colonoscopy reduction rates, cost savings, and reduction of waiting lists were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With regard to inappropriate colonoscopies, the post-course group rate of inappropriateness was significantly lower than that of the pre-course group (P < or = .001). The economic savings for 1 year was estimated to be euro19,000. The reduction of the waiting list was about 15% of the original value.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Education has a high incidence in reducing inappropriate colonoscopies in an open-access system determining reduction of costs and waiting lists.
authors.affiliation: Asti, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grassini
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Verna
authors.forename: Edda
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Battaglia
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Niola
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Navino
authors.forename: Gabrio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bassotti
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017046:Cost Savings; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014850:Waiting Lists