Communication improves colorectal screening

Jun 29, 2009

Better communication between patients and primary care physicians can increase the likelihood that patients will follow their doctors' advice to receive colorectal cancer screening, according to a study in the June issue of Health Communication.

The study also found that the more convenient the screening process, the greater the chance patients would follow through and be tested, according to lead author Thomas Feeley, Ph.D., of the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Feeley and colleagues conducted 27 one-hour focus groups with patients, physicians, nurse practitioners, and physicians' assistants. They found that patients didn't follow screening recommendations because of lack of time, patient reluctance, difficulty in scheduling the test itself, and fear of test results. Many patients also repeated reports from colleagues and friends about the horrors of the prep and embarrassment related to colorectal screening, the authors said.

Physicians can improve screening compliance through effective communication, the authors said. The more persistent doctors were in discussing colon cancer screening with patients, the more likely the patients would take the test. In addition, having office personnel schedule screening tests reduced the amount of time between when the physician recommended the test and when the patients actually were screened.

But effective communication can be hampered when patient visits are rushed and distracted, according to the authors.

"Any proper attempt to allay patient fears associated with colorectal cancer screening or efforts to communicate the value of preventive medicine requires ample time for effective dialogue," Feeley said.

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