Quality of colonoscopies performed by primary care physicians

• Author / Creator

  Kolber, Michael Robert

• This thesis examines the quality of colonoscopies performed by primary care physicians.

  Methods: A systematic review examined existing evidence pertaining to the quality of colonoscopies performed by primary care physicians. Subsequently, a prospective, multi-centre observational study (the Alberta Primary Care Endoscopy study) examined cecal intubation rates, adenoma detection rates, serious adverse event rates and patient satisfaction with colonoscopies performed by Albertan primary care physicians.

  Results: The systematic review demonstrated that primary care physicians perform safe and likely perform quality colonoscopic exams. In the APC-Endo study, the overall adjusted cecal intubation rate was 96.5% (95% CI: 94.6, 97.8). Age and sex-specific adenoma detection rates reached recommended targets. One perforation and three post polypectomy bleeds occurred, and patient satisfaction was exceptionally high.

  Conclusion: Primary care physicians are able to perform high quality colonoscopic exams. Training primary care physicians in gastrointestinal medicine and endoscopy may help with the colonoscopic shortage in Canada.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Primary care
  • Quality assurance
  • Colonoscopy

• Graduation date

  Fall 2011

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3CS53

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.