Table 1.

Characteristics and Responses from 30 Maryland Primary Care Clinicians on Decision Making about Colorectal Cancer Surveillance in Older Patients with Prior Adenomas (Data Collection October 2018 to May 2019)

CharacteristicsNo. (%) or Mean (SD)
Age, years48.2 (10.0)
Female sex16 (53%)
Race
    White18 (60%)
    African American6 (20%)
    Other6 (20%)
Degree
    Physician24 (80%)
    Certified registered nurse practitioner5 (17%)
    Physician's assistant1 (3%)
Years since completing training17.5 (10.2)
Specialty
    Internal medicine17 (57%)
    Family medicine6 (20%)
    Medicine/pediatrics2 (7%)
    Geriatrics5 (17%)
Clinic site
    Urban13 (43%)
    Suburban17 (57%)
Clinic type
    Clinics affiliated with academic university8 (27%)
    Clinics within a large group practice14 (47%)
    Solo clinics5 (17%)
    House-call program for homebound patients1 (3%)
    Program for all-inclusive care of the elderly2 (7%)
Proportion of patients ≥65 years old in patient panel
    <25%7 (23%)
    25% to 49%13 (43%)
    50% to 74%4 (13%)
    >75%6 (20%)
Decision-making approach regarding surveillance in older patients with prior adenomas*
    Deferred to GI12 (40%)
    Discussed with patient and/or GI to make decision together5 (17%)
    Described stopping surveillance based on patient age, comorbidities, or life expectancy7 (23%)
    Favored continued surveillance1 (3%)
    Decision depended on specific patient characteristics3 (10%)
  • GI, gastroenterology; SD, standard deviation.

  • * Two participants did not give direct responses about decision making around surveillance colonoscopies in the interviews.