Providers Role in Colonoscopy Screening for Colorectal Cancer

OBJECTIVES: To examine predictors of provider recommendations for colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: We examined proportions of patients without prior screening for colonoscopy and their willingness to get a colonoscopy if recommended by a healthcare provider. RESULTS: The rate of CRC screening with a colonoscopy within the recommended guidelines was 35%; provider recommendation rate for colonoscopy screening was 34.9%; and never-screened patients would receive a colonoscopy 78% when recommended by a provider. Provider recommendation was the best predictor for receiving a screening colonoscopy (OR 4.19; 95% CI, 1.91-9.22, p < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Physician recommendation for colonoscopy is the most effective strategy to promote screening colonoscopy in the US, but only one third of eligible patients recall such counseling.