Physician and patient influences on the rate of colorectal cancer screening in a primary care clinic

Background. Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates remain low, despite widespread recommendations. The study purpose was to ascertain whether lack of CRC screening is attributable to physicians' failure to address CRC screening or to patients' failure to comply with physician recommendation. This relationship was also examined over time. Methods. Retrospective chart review of 400 preventive health visits. Results. Physicians appropriately addressed screening 16.5% of the time during 1998-1999 and 51% of the time during 2002-2003 (P <=.001). The rate of test completion by patients was 53% in 1998-1999 and 31% in 2002-2003, resulting in completed CRC screening rates of 5% and 16.5%, respectively (P <=.001). Conclusions. Further education is needed, especially to target patient barriers to CRC screening test completion.