The Article in Brief

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Colonoscopy—a test that allows a doctor to look at the interior lining of the large intestine—can help detect colorectal cancer. Only a small percentage of eligible patients receive colonoscopies, however, in part because there are not enough medical professionals trained to conduct the procedure. This study found that colonoscopies can be performed safely and competently by properly trained family physicians in the outpatient setting. The study examined data from 2 family physicians performing colonoscopies. The physicians met or exceeded all of the target goals for high-quality colonoscopy examinations. Patients who had an office colonoscopy reported high levels of satisfaction with the procedure.