title: Colorectal cancer screening perceptions and practices: results from a national survey of gastroenterology, surgery and radiology trainees.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in the United States is suboptimal. We conducted a national survey to learn about CRC screening perceptions and practices among trainees who perform CRC screening tests including those enrolled in Gastroenterology and Hepatology (GIH), General and Colorectal Surgery, and Diagnostic and Abdominal Radiology training programs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Program directors/administrators (PDs/PAs) from 642 programs were contacted by e-mail with an invitation to forward our survey to trainees in their programs. Participating trainees then completed an anonymous, Web-based questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 130/642 (20%) PDs/PAs forwarded our survey to their trainees, with responses received from 476 trainees (80 GIH, 261 surgery, 135 radiology). Colonoscopy was felt to be the best CRC screening test at reducing CRC mortality, with patient-related factors perceived as greater barriers than system-related factors. No single guideline was deemed very influential on CRC screening practices by most trainees. A total of 2 of 5 above-average risk patient profiles were not recognized by most trainees. Colonoscopy was selected as the preferred follow-up test for a positive CRC screening test by most trainees. However, 34% of respondents chose an option other than colonoscopy alone for follow-up of a positive fecal occult blood test.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on data from this national survey of gastroenterology, surgery, and radiology trainees, opportunities exist for curricular changes that may help enhance current perceptions and practices of trainees who perform CRC screening tests.
authors: Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA.
authors: Amy S
authors: AS
authors: Oxentenko
authors: Robert A
authors: RA
authors: Vierkant
authors: Darrell S
authors: DS
authors: Pardi
authors: David R
authors: DR
authors: Farley
authors: Eric J
authors: EJ
authors: Dozois
authors: Thomas E
authors: TE
authors: Hartman
authors: David M
authors: DM
authors: Hough
authors: Wesley O
authors: WO
authors: Petersen
authors: Carrie N
authors: CN
authors: Klabunde
authors: Katherine
authors: K
authors: Sharpe
authors: John H
authors: JH
authors: Bond
authors: Robert A
authors: RA
authors: Smith
authors: Bernard
authors: B
authors: Levin
authors: John B
authors: JB
authors: Pope
authors: Paul C
authors: PC
authors: Schroy
authors: Paul J
authors: PJ
authors: Limburg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003113:Colonoscopy; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005762:Gastroenterology / Q000193:education*; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007388:Internal Medicine; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D010465:Perception; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011871:Radiology / Q000193:education*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires