The Article in Brief

Screening Colonoscopies by Primary Care Physicians: A Meta-Analysis

Thad Wilkins , and colleagues

Background Colonoscopy is recommended as a method for screening patients for colorectal cancer. In the US, however, there are not enough clinicians trained in providing colonoscopies to implement a full-scale national screening program. This study systematically examines existing data on the quality and safety of screening colonoscopies performed by primary care doctors.

What This Study Found Colonoscopies performed by trained primary care doctors are safe and effective. They compare favorably in terms of quality to colonoscopies performed by specialists, according to published standards and reports of specialist practice.

Implications

• Primary care doctors trained in colonoscopy can play an important role in providing access to colonoscopy for colorectal cancer screening.