An Assessment of Physicians’ Recommendations for Colorectal Cancer Screening and International Guidelines Awareness and Adherence: Results From a Thai National Survey
Issued Date
2022-04-29
Resource Type
eISSN
2296858X
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85130039930
Journal Title
Frontiers in Medicine
Volume
9
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Frontiers in Medicine Vol.9 (2022)
Suggested Citation
Pausawasdi N., Tongpong P., Geeratragool T., Charatcharoenwitthaya P. An Assessment of Physicians’ Recommendations for Colorectal Cancer Screening and International Guidelines Awareness and Adherence: Results From a Thai National Survey. Frontiers in Medicine Vol.9 (2022). doi:10.3389/fmed.2022.847361 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/85951
Title
An Assessment of Physicians’ Recommendations for Colorectal Cancer Screening and International Guidelines Awareness and Adherence: Results From a Thai National Survey
Author's Affiliation
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening uptake is generally low in the Asia Pacific and physicians’ recommendations affect the screening participation. Objective: The study aimed to assess Thai physicians’ recommendations for CRC screening, and the awareness of and adherence to international guidelines. Methods: A survey containing questions assessing physicians’ demographic data, screening recommendations, and awareness of the international CRC screening guidelines assessed by clinical vignettes. Independent predictors of physicians’ recommendations for CRC screening were determined by logistic regression analysis. Results: Five hundred and eighty-sixth of 1,286 (46%) physicians completed the survey, and 58% of them offered CRC screening. The majority of colorectal surgeons (91%) and gastroenterologists (86%) endorsed screening, whereas 35% of primary care physicians recommended screening. The patient’s age was the only factor influencing the physician’s decision to offer CRC screening (OR, 2.75: 95% CI, 1.61–4.67). Colonoscopy was the most recommended modality among specialists, whereas 60% of primary care physicians offered fecal occult blood tests (FOBTs). The guidelines awareness was noted in 81% of participants, with the highest rates among gastroenterologists and colorectal surgeons. Gastroenterologists were more likely to adhere to the guidelines than surgeons, but both recommended shorter interval surveillance colonoscopy than guidelines recommendations in cases of small hyperplastic rectosigmoid polyps. Conclusions: Recommendations for CRC screening and awareness of guidelines vary among different specialties. A low proportion of primary care physicians recommended screening and colorectal surgeons and gastroenterologists recommended shorter intervals for surveillance of small hyperplastic polyp than suggested by guidelines.