4.5 Article

Barriers and facilitators to colonoscopy following fecal immunochemical test screening for colorectal cancer: A key informant interview study

Journal

PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING
Volume 105, Issue 6, Pages 1652-1662

Publisher

ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2021.09.022

Keywords

Colonoscopy; Screening; Early diagnosis; Fecal immunochemical test; Qualitative research; Interviews

Funding

  1. Cancer Research UK Population Research Fellowship [C68512/A28209]

Ask authors/readers for more resources

This study investigates the reasons why many people decline to undergo colonoscopy, identifying psychological, sociocultural, practical, health-related, and COVID-19-related factors as key barriers. Further studies with patients are needed to explore barriers to colonoscopy in depth.
Objectives: People who are referred for colonoscopy, following an abnormal colorectal cancer (CRC) screening result, are at increased risk of CRC. Despite this, many individuals decline the procedure. The aim of this study was to investigate why. Methods: As little is currently known about non-attendance at follow-up colonoscopy, and follow-up of abnormal screening results is a nurse-led process, we decided to conduct key informant interviews with Specialist Screening Practitioners ([SSPs] nurses working in the English Bowel Cancer Screening Program). Interviews were conducted online. Transcripts were assessed using inductive and deductive coding techniques. Results: 21 SSPs participated in an interview. Five main types of barriers and facilitators to colonoscopy were described, namely: Sociocultural, Practical, Psychological, Health-related and COVID-related. Key psychological and sociocultural factors included: 'Fear of pain and discomfort associated with the procedure' and 'Lack of support from family and friends'. Key practical, health-related and COVID-related factors included: 'Family and work commitments', 'Existing health conditions as competing priorities' and 'Fear of getting COVID-19 at the hospital'. Conclusions: A range of barriers and facilitators to follow-up colonoscopy exist. Future studies conducted with patients are needed to further explore barriers to colonoscopy. Practice implications: Strategies to reduce non-attendance should adopt a multifaceted approach.(c) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. CC_BY_4.0

Authors

I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.

Reviews

Primary Rating

4.5
Not enough ratings

Secondary Ratings

Novelty
-
Significance
-
Scientific rigor
-
Rate this paper

Recommended

No Data Available
No Data Available