DNP Project Proposal: Nurse Practitioners’ Knowledge and Behaviors in Recommending Colorectal Cancer Screening

The United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends initiating colorectal cancer screening for asymptomatic, average-risk individuals at age 45, which is a new update to the previous recommendation of age 50. Early detection of colorectal cancer reduces mortality compared to treatment in advanced stages of disease. Strategies shown to increase screening rates include the discussion of multiple modalities for screening, a systematic approach to identifying eligible patients, healthcare provider recommendation and teaching for screening, and overcoming individualized patient barriers to screening. This project was conducted in partnership with the Coalition of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses of Indiana (CAPNI) to better understand the knowledge and recommendation practices of Indiana nurse practitioners. A survey based on a previous study of primary care physicians by Chapman et al. (2012) was distributed to CAPNI membership regarding recommendation practices and utilization of screening guidelines. Colonoscopy was the most commonly recommended screening modality, followed by fecal immunoassay testing with DNA testing (FIT-DNA). No statistically significant difference was found in completion rates between colonoscopy and stool-based tests, as reported by providers. Most participants utilized guidelines from a professional organization to guide their recommendations for screening, but only 37.25% utilized those from the USPSTF. The majority of providers indicated they utilized a chart notification system to identify patients for screening and would offer additional modalities for screening if patients declined their first-recommended modality. USPSTF guidelines changed during the implementation of the project, influencing responses. Additional research with a larger sample size may aid in targeted educational opportunities to increase screening.

Creator

• Dorsett, Julie K.

Language

• English

Stichwort

• colorectal cancer screening
• USPSTF
• nurse practitioners
• FIT-DNA
• colonoscopy

Date created

• 2021

Resource type

• Research Paper

Rights statement

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/