The role of general practitioners in managing patient participation in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program: A qualitative study
Publication Details
Bulsara, C.,
Arnold-Reed, D.,
Gaspar, J.,
Taylor, K.,
&
Williams, A.
(2026).
The role of general practitioners in managing patient participation in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program: A qualitative study.
Australian Journal of General Practice, 55 (1-2).
Abstract
Background and objectives
The Australian National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) targets early detection through immunochemical faecal occult blood test (iFOBT) screening of eligible individuals. This study examined Western Australian general practitioner (GP) follow-up processes of patients returning positive iFOBTs through the NBCSP.Methods
The study reports on qualitative descriptive findings from round one key informant interviews of a two-round Delphi study.Results
Sixteen GP interviews were undertaken for the study. Analysis indicated patient contact comprised a non-urgent appointment within two weeks. Three themes were identified. All consenting NBCSP participants with a positive screen were referred for colonoscopy unless comorbidities or procedural risk were present. Inefficiencies occurred in the interfaces between general practice–based clinical software, the NBCSP and the National Cancer Screening Register. The GP–patient relationship played a part in facilitating NBCSP participation.Conclusion
GP participants regarded the NBCSP as beneficial but highlighted inefficiencies in tracking patients, referring them for colonoscopies and registering their screening data.
Keywords
Australian National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, immunochemical faecal occult blood test, WA general practitioners, GP, primary healthcare, bowel cancer screening
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