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Screening sigmoidoscopy

Factors associated with utilization

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Abstract

Although screening sigmoidoscopy (SS) reduces colorectal cancer mortality, surveys indicate that fewer than half of primary care physicians routinely recommend SS and less than 10% of eligible patients receive this test. The purpose of this study was to explore barriers to compliance with SS through a cross-sectional survey of general medicine patients. Clinician advice, perceived benefit of the test, and having a family member who has had the test are associated with SS, while perceived pain is a barrier to compliance and can negate the positive effects of clinician advice. These factors can be targeted as part of efforts to improve compliance with SS.

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Received from the Department of Medicine, Section of General Internal Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine, Madison

Supported in part by a faculty development grant, D28 PE55024,from the United States Public Health Service and the Health Resources and Services Administration.

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Lewis, S.F., Jensen, N.M. Screening sigmoidoscopy. J Gen Intern Med 11, 542–544 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02599602

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