title: Pre- and postassessment of nurse practitioners' knowledge of hereditary colorectal cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was part of an educational program conducted to describe nurse practitioners' (NPs') knowledge and perceived comfort level regarding the identification of hereditary colorectal cancer (CRC), specifically Lynch syndrome, also referred to as hereditary nonpolyposis CRC.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 3-h workshop was developed that included a pretest to evaluate NPs' knowledge of hereditary CRC syndromes, educational program focusing on Lynch syndrome, and a posttest knowledge evaluation. Knowledge of hereditary CRC syndromes was assessed via a nine-item multiple choice self-report survey. Forty-two NPs participated in the study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Few NPs (39%) reported "comfortable" in identifying red flags "suspect" for Lynch syndrome. Percentage of NPs who responded correctly on each of the pretest items ranged from 17.0% to 57.1% (M = 26.2%; SD = 13.5%; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 14.9%, -37.5%). NPs who responded correctly to the same items after the educational program (posttest) ranged from 53.8% to 95% (M = 80.5%; SD = 15.3%; 95% CI 67.8%, -93.4%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Genetic testing is widely available for Lynch syndrome. It is important that NPs are cognizant of the syndrome and identify patients at risk for hereditary cancer syndromes so appropriate referral and management can be instituted.
authors.affiliation: College of Graduate Nursing, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California 91766-1854, USA. quinognp@msn.com
authors.forename: Quannetta T
authors.initials: QT
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maradiegue
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Seibert
authors.forename: Kory
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jasperson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003123:Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000451:nursing*; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D004493:Education; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005820:Genetic Testing; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018570:Risk Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States