Participation of general practitioners in the prevention of colo- rectal carcinoma and public opinion – results of a survey in selected districts in the South Bohemian Regi- on

Overview

The evaluation of the process of implementating colorectal cancer screening in the South Bohemian Region was the main aim of the reasearch carried out amongst all general practitioners of two districts of the region. Reflection of the program by GPs, the key actors of the program, was one of the most important elements of the program evaluation. 38 (58%) out of 66 GPs targeted via post responded to the questionnare.

GPs mostly (32 respondents) estimate screening to be important or even particularly important and the same number of respondents appreciate the organization of the program. Most of GPs (35) informed their patients about thescreening during their visit to the surgery and only a minority of them (6) invited their patients via post as well. Only half of GPs perceived the information campaign accompanying the program as satisfactory; most respondents (27) estimated the level of awareness in patients as “partial“. Only 15 practitioners resported 100% utilization of the offer to undergo the test and 22 only 50% utilization. Only 23 GPs replied all their tests returned back with in a month. There were more favorable results obtained in the smaller of the two districts, that is at the same time the one with more inhabitants living in smaller communities.

Key words:
colorectal carcinoma – prevention – general practitioner.