title: Developing a quality screening colonoscopy referral system in primary care practice: a report from the national colorectal cancer roundtable.
abstract: The use of colonoscopy in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening has increased substantially in recent years. Media messages and changes in insurance reimbursement, as well as new screening guidelines from the American Cancer Society and the US Preventive Services Task Force, have contributed to this increase. Primary care providers (PCPs) are frequently responsible for making the recommendation and referral for screening. The process of successfully referring a patient for screening colonoscopy can be cumbersome and requires a coordinated effort between the PCP and the endoscopist. In recognition of the potential complexity of this process, the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable has issued a report to describe the components of a quality screening colonoscopy referral system in primary care practice. The elements of a quality program include an optimal scheduling and referral system, the appropriate patient preparation information, consistent reporting and follow-up systems, and a detailed approach to dealing with special situations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family and Community Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. randa.sifri@jefferson.edu
authors.forename: Randa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sifri
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wender
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lieberman
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Potter
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.forename: Thomas K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008913:Minority Groups; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016730:Program Development / Q000379:methods; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States