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 from both patient and provider perspectives is essential for developing effective nursing interventions and patient education strategies
• International screening gap research provides valuable insights that can inform best practices for patient counseling and screening program implementation in diverse healthcare settings
• Tripartite survey methodologies examining multiple stakeholder viewpoints offer comprehensive data that endoscopy nurses can use to advocate for improved screening protocols and patient engagement strategies
• Identifying specific barriers faced by surgeons can help GI nurses better understand referral patterns and collaborate more effectively in multidisciplinary colorectal cancer prevention efforts

Clinical Relevance

This research examining colorectal cancer screening barriers in Türkiye offers valuable insights for GI and endoscopy nursing professionals working to improve screening rates and patient outcomes. By understanding the multifaceted challenges identified through patient and surgeon perspectives, nurses can develop more targeted pre-procedure education and counseling approaches. The tripartite survey methodology provides a comprehensive view of systemic barriers that may mirror challenges faced in other healthcare systems, making this research applicable beyond its geographic origin.

For endoscopy unit operations, understanding both patient hesitations and physician concerns can help nurses anticipate workflow challenges and develop protocols that address common barriers proactively. This knowledge enables nursing staff to serve as more effective patient advocates and educators, potentially improving screening compliance and reducing last-minute cancellations or no-shows. Additionally, the surgeon perspective component provides insights into referral decision-making that can inform how GI nurses communicate with referring providers and coordinate care transitions.

The findings from this barrier analysis can guide professional development initiatives for GI nursing teams, particularly in areas of cultural competency, patient communication, and screening program optimization. Understanding diverse perspectives on screening obstacles helps nurses develop more nuanced approaches to patient engagement and can inform quality improvement efforts within endoscopy departments seeking to enhance their colorectal cancer screening programs.

Bottom Line

This comprehensive barrier analysis provides GI nurses with evidence-based insights into the complex factors that impede colorectal cancer screening from multiple stakeholder perspectives, offering a foundation for developing more effective patient education strategies, improving unit protocols, and enhancing collaborative relationships with referring surgeons to ultimately increase screening participation and improve patient outcomes.