ID-5184 Wonca Abstracts supplement A-K 13-10-23 - Flipbook - Page 125
WONCA 2023 Supplement 1: WONCA 2023 abstracts (A–K)
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Serious toilet talk: Rural general practitioners perspectives
on the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program
Miss Josephine Canceri
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Western Sydney University
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in Australia and the second leading
cause of cancer death. With 90% of CRC being potentially preventable with early detection, optimal
National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) participation is critical for mortality reduction and
cost-effectiveness. Currently, participation is suboptimal, averaging at 44%, significantly below the
60–70% target. Participation is further reduced within Australian rural communities. This project aimed
to explored rural GP NBCSP experiences to elucidate circumstances unique to rural and regional
communities which impact utilisation and access of preventative medicine resources.
Semistructured interviews with rural GPs were conducted during 2021 within central western
NSW. Interviews explored GP experiences with the NBCSP and preventative screening; common
patient perceptions and how these conversations were navigated; barriers and facilitators for patient
participation and recommendations to improve NBCSP uptake.
Data analysis demonstrated that lack of public awareness and media promotion, as well as limited
health literacy, are crucial barriers in engaging eligible Australians to participate in the NBCSP. GPs
also identified that discussing participation with their patients, its requirements and potential benefits
resulted in most patients subsequently utilising immunochemical faecal occult blood testing, either
through the NBCSP or through privately purchased kits. Additionally, incorporating preventative
screening discussion as part of regular ‘check-up’ appointments was found to normalise the topic
and enhanced patient understanding of asymptomatic testing, increasing test uptake and follow-up
following positive results.
This study provided a more comprehensive understanding of the barriers and facilitators which impact
regional patient NBCSP participation. Improved engagement of regional primary healthcare could
allow for the development of specific strategies to better facilitate GP NBCSP endorsement within nonmetropolitan areas. Fundamentally, this will improve patient care and reduce the CRC disease burden
within our rural Australian communities, bridging the health gap still defined by postcode.
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