Equity and practice issues in colorectal cancer screening: Mixed-methods study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate overall colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates, patterns in the use of types of CRC screening, and sociodemographic characteristics associated with CRC screening; and to gain insight into physicians' perceptions about and use of fecal occult blood testing [FOBT] and colonoscopy for patients at average risk of CRC.


METHODS
Mixed-methods study using cross-sectional administrative data on patient sociodemographic characteristics and semistructured telephone interviews with physicians.


METHODS
Toronto, Ont.


METHODS
Patients aged 50 to 74 years and physicians in family health teams in the Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network.


METHODS
Rates of CRC screening by type; sociodemographic characteristics associated with CRC screening; thematic analysis using constant comparative method for semistructured interviews.


RESULTS
Ontario administrative data on CRC screening showed lower overall screening rates among those who were younger, male patients, those who had lower income, and recent immigrants. Colonoscopy rates were especially low among those with lower income and those who were recent immigrants. Semistructured interviews revealed that physician opinions about CRC screening for average-risk patients were divided: one group of physicians accepted the evidence and recommendations for FOBT and the other group of physicians strongly supported colonoscopy for these patients, believing that the FOBT was an inferior screening method. Physicians identified specialist recommendations and patient expectations as factors that influenced their decisions regarding CRC screening type.


CONCLUSIONS
There was considerable variation in CRC screening by sociodemographic characteristics. A key theme that emerged from the interviews was that physicians were divided in their preference for FOBT or colonoscopy; factors that influenced physician preference included the health care system, recommendations by other specialists, and patient characteristics. Providing an informed choice of screening method to patients might result in higher screening rates and fewer disparities. Changes in policy and physician attitudes might be needed in order for this to occur.
Family physician providing home-base palliative care in Toronto, Ont, Education Lead at the Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care at Mount Sinai Hospital, and Associate Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto.
Sandy
S
Buchman
Senior Research Associate at the Canadian Centre for Applied Research in Cancer Control in Toronto.
Linda
L
Rozmovits
Senior Scientist at the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences in Toronto and at the Centre for Research on Inner City Health at St Michael's Hospital, and Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto and at St Michael's Hospital. rick.glazier@ices.on.ca.
Richard H
RH
Glazier
D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003113:Colonoscopy; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D000069576:Health Equity; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009780:Occult Blood; D009864:Ontario; D010821:Physicians, Family; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors