Diagnostic Evaluation of Patients Presenting to Primary Care with Rectal Bleeding.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Rectal bleeding is a common, frequently benign problem that can also be an early sign of colorectal cancer. Diagnostic evaluation for rectal bleeding is complex, and clinical practice may deviate from available guidelines.

Objective

To assess the degree to which primary care physicians document risk factors for colorectal cancer among patients with rectal bleeding and order colonoscopies when indicated, and the likelihood of physicians ordering and patients receiving recommended colonoscopies based on demographic characteristics, visit patterns, and clinical presentations.

Design

Cross-sectional study using explicit chart abstraction methods.

Participants

Three hundred adults, 40-80 years of age, presenting with rectal bleeding to 15 academically aff

SUBMITTER: Percac-Lima S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5880768 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature