The colorectal cancer screening gap in Türkiye: A tripartite survey of barriers among patients and surgeons

Key Takeaways for GI Nurses

• Understanding barriers to colorectal cancer screening requires examining perspectives from both patients and healthcare providers, as identified gaps may differ between these groups
• International screening challenges provide valuable insights for improving our own endoscopy unit protocols and patient education strategies
• Tripartite survey approaches offer a comprehensive methodology for identifying system-wide barriers that may exist in colorectal cancer screening programs
• Surgeon perspectives on screening barriers can inform multidisciplinary team discussions and help endoscopy nurses better understand referral patterns and patient preparation challenges

Clinical Relevance

This research highlights the complex nature of colorectal cancer screening barriers, which directly impacts endoscopy nursing practice in multiple ways. GI nurses frequently encounter patients who have delayed or avoided screening, and understanding the multifaceted reasons behind these decisions enables more targeted patient education and counseling approaches. The study's focus on both patient and surgeon perspectives provides valuable insight into how healthcare provider attitudes and practices can influence screening uptake, information that endoscopy nurses can leverage when collaborating with gastroenterologists and surgeons to improve patient compliance.

The identification of screening gaps also has practical implications for endoscopy unit operations and workflow management. When barriers to screening are better understood, nursing staff can develop more effective pre-procedure education protocols, address specific patient concerns during counseling sessions, and potentially reduce no-show rates through targeted interventions. Additionally, the research methodology demonstrates the importance of systematic barrier assessment, which could be adapted by endoscopy units to evaluate their own screening programs and identify areas for quality improvement initiatives.

From a professional development standpoint, this type of research emphasizes the critical role that GI nurses play in screening advocacy and patient education. Understanding global perspectives on screening barriers enhances cultural competency and helps nurses recognize that screening challenges may vary across different patient populations, even within their own practice settings. This knowledge supports evidence-based nursing practice and contributes to improved patient outcomes through more informed and targeted nursing interventions.

Bottom Line

This tripartite survey research provides endoscopy nurses with valuable insights into the complex barriers affecting colorectal cancer screening from both patient and provider perspectives, offering evidence-based strategies for improving patient education approaches, enhancing unit protocols, and supporting quality improvement initiatives that can ultimately increase screening compliance and improve patient outcomes in their own practice settings.