BACKGROUND: Increasing demand combined with limited capacity has resulted in long wait times for average-risk adults referred for screening colonoscopy for colorectal cancer. Management of patients on these growing wait lists is an emerging clinical issue. OBJECTIVE: To inform the content and design of a mailed targeted invitation for patients to undergo annual fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) while awaiting colonoscopy. METHODS: Focus groups (FGs) with average-risk patients on a wait list for screening colonoscopy at a high-throughput academic outpatient colonoscopy facility were conducted. During each FG session, feedback regarding a range of materials under consideration for the planned intervention was elicited using a semistructured facilitator guide. The FG sessions were recorded and transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using the constant comparative method to identify key themes. RESULTS: Findings from the three FGs (n=28) suggested that average risk patients on a wait list for screening colonoscopy would be receptive to a targeted intervention recommending they undergo FOBT while waiting. Participants indicated that the invitation to undergo FOBT was an important acknowledgement that they were on an actively managed list, and that a mechanism to ensure that they were correctly triaged while waiting was in place. Several specific suggestions to improve the design of the targeted intervention were obtained. CONCLUSIONS: Results of the present study provide useful information for developing effective strategies to manage average-risk individuals facing long wait times for screening colonoscopy.
BACKGROUND: Increasing demand combined with limited capacity has resulted in long wait times for average-risk adults referred for screening colonoscopy for colorectal cancer. Management of patients on these growing wait lists is an emerging clinical issue. OBJECTIVE: To inform the content and design of a mailed targeted invitation for patients to undergo annual fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) while awaiting colonoscopy. METHODS: Focus groups (FGs) with average-risk patients on a wait list for screening colonoscopy at a high-throughput academic outpatient colonoscopy facility were conducted. During each FG session, feedback regarding a range of materials under consideration for the planned intervention was elicited using a semistructured facilitator guide. The FG sessions were recorded and transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using the constant comparative method to identify key themes. RESULTS: Findings from the three FGs (n=28) suggested that average risk patients on a wait list for screening colonoscopy would be receptive to a targeted intervention recommending they undergo FOBT while waiting. Participants indicated that the invitation to undergo FOBT was an important acknowledgement that they were on an actively managed list, and that a mechanism to ensure that they were correctly triaged while waiting was in place. Several specific suggestions to improve the design of the targeted intervention were obtained. CONCLUSIONS: Results of the present study provide useful information for developing effective strategies to manage average-risk individuals facing long wait times for screening colonoscopy.
Authors: Desmond Leddin; Richard Hunt; Malcolm Champion; Alan Cockeram; Nigel Flook; Michael Gould; Young-In Kim; Jonathan Love; David Morgan; Susan Natsheh; Dan Sadowski Journal: Can J Gastroenterol Date: 2004-02 Impact factor: 3.522
Authors: Jill Tinmouth; Paul Ritvo; S Elizabeth McGregor; Danielle Claus; George Pasut; Ronald E Myers; Crissa Guglietti; Lawrence F Paszat; Robert J Hilsden; Linda Rabeneck Journal: Can Fam Physician Date: 2011-01 Impact factor: 3.275
Authors: Sidney Winawer; Robert Fletcher; Douglas Rex; John Bond; Randall Burt; Joseph Ferrucci; Theodore Ganiats; Theodore Levin; Steven Woolf; David Johnson; Lynne Kirk; Scott Litin; Clifford Simmang Journal: Gastroenterology Date: 2003-02 Impact factor: 22.682
Authors: Nancy C Dolan; M Rosario Ferreira; Terry C Davis; Marian L Fitzgibbon; Alfred Rademaker; Dachao Liu; Brian P Schmitt; Nicolle Gorby; Michael Wolf; Charles L Bennett Journal: J Clin Oncol Date: 2004-07-01 Impact factor: 44.544