Colorectal cancer screening among underserved minority population: discrepancy between physicians' recommended, scheduled, and completed tests.
OBJECTIVE
This study examines the correlates of: (1) health care provider recommendation of CRC testing; (2) provider scheduling for recommended CRC testing using sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, or double-contrast barium enema; and (3) adherence to CRC scheduling among underserved minority populations.


METHODS
Medical record and schedule logbook reviews and interviewer-administered surveys.


METHODS
Large urban safety-net, outpatient primary care setting in Los Angeles County.


METHODS
306 African-American and Latino patients aged 50 years and older.


RESULTS
A vast majority of minority patients do not receive standard CRC testing in urban safety-net primary care settings. Of those patients who were actually scheduled for sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, almost half completed the procedure. Completing CRC testing was associated with marital status, co-morbid chronic physical conditions, number of risk factors for colorectal cancer, and lower perceived barriers to CRC testing.


CONCLUSIONS
Effective interventions to reduce CRC mortality among underserved minority populations require an integrated approach that engages patients, providers, and health care systems.


CONCLUSIONS
Designing interventions that (1) increase physician-patient communications for removing patients' perceived barriers for CRC testing and (2) promote a non-physician-based navigator system that reinforces physicians' recommendation are strongly recommended.
Bazargan
Mohsen
M
Department of Family Medicine, Charles Drew University of Medicine & Science, Los Angeles, CA 90059, USA. mobazarg@cdrewu.edu
Ani
Chizobam
C
Bazargan-Hejazi
Shahrzad
S
Baker
Richard S
RS
Bastani
Roshan
R
D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003142:Communication; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D008875:Middle Aged; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D014481:United States