Ashwin N Ananthakrishnan1, Raymond G Hoffmann, Kia Saeian. 1. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin, 9200 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA. aananthakrishnan@partners.org
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the United States and a leading cause of cancer related mortality. Routine screening decreases incidence and mortality; however rates of screening remain low. Physician recommendation is a key determinant of screening rates; thus, physician availability may also influence CRC incidence and mortality. METHODS: Data on CRC incidence and stage at diagnosis was obtained for each county in Pennsylvania from the Pennsylvania cancer registry. Physician density (per 100,000 population) was calculated for each county using physician counts from the American Medical Association. Pearson correlation coefficients and linear regression models were used to examine the association between physician density and CRC incidence and outcomes. RESULTS: Primary care physician density (Pearson's correlation coefficient: -0.25, p=0.05) and gastroenterologist density (correlation coefficient -0.25, p=0.04) inversely correlated with county-level incidence of late-stage CRC. However, this association was seen only in non-metropolitan counties or those with low population density. On linear regression, non-metropolitan counties which had a high density of gastroenterologists had an incidence of late-stage CRC that was lower by 4/100,000 (reduction of 14%). Low population density counties had lower incidence of late-stage CRC by 5/100,000 (reduction of 17%) when they had at least 3.3 gastroenterologists/100,000 population compared to counties with a lower gastroenterologist-per-population ratio. Gastroenterologist density did not correlate with reduced late-stage CRC incidence prior to institution of Medicare coverage for colonoscopy for routine CRC screening. CONCLUSION: Higher gastroenterologist or PCP density is associated with 14-17% lower incidence of late-stage CRC in non-metropolitan counties or those with low population density. Efforts at increasing physician supply should target these underserved areas.
INTRODUCTION:Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the United States and a leading cause of cancer related mortality. Routine screening decreases incidence and mortality; however rates of screening remain low. Physician recommendation is a key determinant of screening rates; thus, physician availability may also influence CRC incidence and mortality. METHODS: Data on CRC incidence and stage at diagnosis was obtained for each county in Pennsylvania from the Pennsylvania cancer registry. Physician density (per 100,000 population) was calculated for each county using physician counts from the American Medical Association. Pearson correlation coefficients and linear regression models were used to examine the association between physician density and CRC incidence and outcomes. RESULTS: Primary care physician density (Pearson's correlation coefficient: -0.25, p=0.05) and gastroenterologist density (correlation coefficient -0.25, p=0.04) inversely correlated with county-level incidence of late-stage CRC. However, this association was seen only in non-metropolitan counties or those with low population density. On linear regression, non-metropolitan counties which had a high density of gastroenterologists had an incidence of late-stage CRC that was lower by 4/100,000 (reduction of 14%). Low population density counties had lower incidence of late-stage CRC by 5/100,000 (reduction of 17%) when they had at least 3.3 gastroenterologists/100,000 population compared to counties with a lower gastroenterologist-per-population ratio. Gastroenterologist density did not correlate with reduced late-stage CRC incidence prior to institution of Medicare coverage for colonoscopy for routine CRC screening. CONCLUSION: Higher gastroenterologist or PCP density is associated with 14-17% lower incidence of late-stage CRC in non-metropolitan counties or those with low population density. Efforts at increasing physician supply should target these underserved areas.
Authors: Steven S Coughlin; Thomas B Richards; Trevor Thompson; Barry A Miller; Juliet VanEenwyk; Marc T Goodman; Recinda L Sherman Journal: Cancer Date: 2006-09-01 Impact factor: 6.860
Authors: Cary P Gross; Martin S Andersen; Harlan M Krumholz; Gail J McAvay; Deborah Proctor; Mary E Tinetti Journal: JAMA Date: 2006-12-20 Impact factor: 56.272
Authors: Ashwin N Ananthakrishnan; Kenneth G Schellhase; Rodney A Sparapani; Purushottam W Laud; Joan M Neuner Journal: Arch Intern Med Date: 2007-02-12
Authors: Barcey T Levy; Terri Nordin; Suzanne Sinift; Marcy Rosenbaum; Paul A James Journal: J Am Board Fam Med Date: 2007 Sep-Oct Impact factor: 2.657
Authors: Benjamin Lebwohl; Robert M Genta; Robert C Kapel; Daniel Sheehan; Nina S Lerner; Peter H Green; Alfred I Neugut; Andrew Rundle Journal: Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol Date: 2013-11 Impact factor: 2.566
Authors: Vivek T Kulkarni; Joseph S Ross; Yongfei Wang; Brahmajee K Nallamothu; John A Spertus; Sharon-Lise T Normand; Frederick A Masoudi; Harlan M Krumholz Journal: Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes Date: 2013-05-16
Authors: Chun Chieh Lin; Suanna S Bruinooge; M Kelsey Kirkwood; Christine Olsen; Ahmedin Jemal; Dean Bajorin; Sharon H Giordano; Michael Goldstein; B Ashleigh Guadagnolo; Michael Kosty; Shane Hopkins; James B Yu; Anna Arnone; Amy Hanley; Stephanie Stevens; Dawn L Hershman Journal: J Clin Oncol Date: 2015-08-24 Impact factor: 44.544