title: Patient satisfaction with family physician colonoscopists.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  assessing patient satisfaction after endoscopy with a standardized survey is recommended by gastrointestinal professional societies. The purpose of this study was to assess both patient satisfaction with colonoscopy performed by family physicians and physicians' technical competence in colonoscopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  modified Group Health Association of America 9 surveys were sent to all 230 patients who received a colonoscopy by family physicians at Madigan Army Medical Center from June to December 2007. Responses were graded on a 5-point Likert scale (LS), with a score of ≥ 3 (good to excellent) defined as a favorable response. Procedure reports and medical records were reviewed for all patients, and selected quality indicators were compared with recommended colonoscopy standards.
  
  
  RESULTS
  sixty-nine percent of patients responded: 85 men (54%; mean age ± SD, 54.9 ± 5.6 years) and 73 women (46%; mean age ± SD, 54.3 ± 4.3 years). The overall rating of the visit received a favorable response rate of 98% (average LS rating, 4.6). Nearly all patients said they would have the procedure repeated by the same physician (98%) and at the same facility (98%). The overall reach-the-cecum rate was 100%. Adenomas were detected in 22% of women and 36% of men. All polyps measuring <2 cm were removed, and 99% of the procedures had scope withdrawal times of at least 6 minutes. Hemostasis techniques were used for 2 patients after polypectomy. There were no perforations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  family physicians can perform colonoscopy with a high level of accuracy, safety, and patient satisfaction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, WA 98431, USA.
authors.forename: Upneet K
authors.initials: UK
authors.lastname: Nijjar
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: Matthew W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Short
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011594:Psychometrics; D058996:Quality Improvement; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D014861:Washington