Background Estimating risk for advanced proximal neoplasia (APN) based on distal colon findings can help identify asymptomatic persons who should undergo examination of the proximal colon after ...flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS) screening. Objective We aimed to determine the risk of APN by most advanced distal finding among an average-risk screening population. Design Prospective, cross-sectional study. Setting Teaching hospital and colorectal cancer screening center. Patients A total of 4651 asymptomatic persons at average risk for colorectal cancer aged 50 to 74 years (54.4% women n = 2529 with a mean ± standard deviation age of 58.4 ± 6.2 years). Interventions All participants underwent a complete colonoscopy, including endoscopic removal of all polyps. Main Outcome Measurements We explored associations between several risk factors and APN. Logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of APN. Results A total of 142 persons (3.1%) had APN, of whom 85 (1.8%) had isolated APN (with no distal findings). APN was associated with older age, a BMI >27 kg/m2 , smoking, distal advanced adenoma and/or cancer, and distal non-advanced tubular adenoma. Those with a distal advanced neoplasm were more than twice as likely to have APN compared with those without distal lesions. Limitations Distal findings used to estimate risk of APN were derived from colonoscopy rather than FS itself. Conclusion In persons at average risk for colorectal cancer, the prevalence of isolated APN was low (1.8%). Use of distal findings to predict APN may not be the most effective strategy. However, incorporating factors such as age (>65 years), sex, BMI (>27 kg/m2 ), and smoking status, in addition to distal findings, should be considered for tailoring colonoscopy recommendations. Further evaluation of risk stratification approaches in other asymptomatic screening populations is warranted.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
This study examines the allocation of COVID-19 funding for Indigenous Peoples in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States during the pandemic's first wave. Indigenous communities, ...already facing health disparities, systemic discrimination, and historical forces of colonisation, found themselves further vulnerable to the virus. Analysing the funding policies of these countries, we employed a Health Equity Impact Assessment (HEIA) tool and an Indigenous Lens Tool supplement to evaluate potential impacts. Our results identify three major funding equity issues: unique health and service needs, socioeconomic disparities, and limited access to community and culturally safe health services. Despite efforts for equitable funding, a lack of meaningful consultation led to shortcomings, as seen in Canada's state of emergency declaration and legal disputes in the United States. New Zealand stood out for integrating Māori perspectives, showcasing the importance of consultation. The study calls for a reconciliation-minded path, aligning with Truth and Reconciliation principles, the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and evolving government support. The paper concludes that co-creating equitable funding policies grounded in Indigenous knowledge requires partnership, meaningful consultation, and organisational cultural humility. Even in emergencies, these measures ensure responsiveness and respect for Indigenous self-determination.This study examines the allocation of COVID-19 funding for Indigenous Peoples in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States during the pandemic's first wave. Indigenous communities, already facing health disparities, systemic discrimination, and historical forces of colonisation, found themselves further vulnerable to the virus. Analysing the funding policies of these countries, we employed a Health Equity Impact Assessment (HEIA) tool and an Indigenous Lens Tool supplement to evaluate potential impacts. Our results identify three major funding equity issues: unique health and service needs, socioeconomic disparities, and limited access to community and culturally safe health services. Despite efforts for equitable funding, a lack of meaningful consultation led to shortcomings, as seen in Canada's state of emergency declaration and legal disputes in the United States. New Zealand stood out for integrating Māori perspectives, showcasing the importance of consultation. The study calls for a reconciliation-minded path, aligning with Truth and Reconciliation principles, the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and evolving government support. The paper concludes that co-creating equitable funding policies grounded in Indigenous knowledge requires partnership, meaningful consultation, and organisational cultural humility. Even in emergencies, these measures ensure responsiveness and respect for Indigenous self-determination.
Abstract There is considerable variation in the quality of colonoscopy, attributable in part to endoscopist performance. Audit and feedback (A&F) provides health professionals with a summary of their ...performance over a period of time and is a common strategy used to improve provider performance. In this review, we discuss current understanding of the mechanism of A&F and describe specific features of effective A&F. To date, trials of A&F to improve colonoscopy performance report heterogeneous results, in part because colonoscopy is a complex procedural skill but also because the quality improvement interventions were sub-optimally implemented or inadequately evaluated. Nonetheless, evidence from a wide range of literature suggests that A&F has the potential to improve endoscopist performance. We discuss future directions for research in this area and provide guidance for providers or health system planners wishing to implement A&F to address quality of colonoscopy in their practice and/or jurisdiction.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
The BETTER intervention is an effective comprehensive evidence-based program for chronic disease prevention and screening (CDPS) delivered by trained prevention practitioners (PPs), a new role in ...primary care. An adapted program, BETTER HEALTH, delivered by public health nurses as PPs for community residents in low income neighbourhoods, was recently shown to be effective in improving CDPS actions. To obtain a nuanced understanding about the CDPS needs of community residents and how the BETTER HEALTH intervention was perceived by residents, we studied how the intervention was adapted to a public health setting then conducted a post-visit qualitative evaluation by community residents through focus groups and interviews.
We first used the ADAPT-ITT model to adapt BETTER for a public health setting in Ontario, Canada. For the post-PP visit qualitative evaluation, we asked community residents who had received a PP visit, about steps they had taken to improve their physical and mental health and the BETTER HEALTH intervention. For both phases, we conducted focus groups and interviews; transcripts were analyzed using the constant comparative method.
Thirty-eight community residents participated in either adaptation (n = 14, 64% female; average age 54 y) or evaluation (n = 24, 83% female; average age 60 y) phases. In both adaptation and evaluation, residents described significant challenges including poverty, social isolation, and daily stress, making chronic disease prevention a lower priority. Adaptation results indicated that residents valued learning about CDPS and would attend a confidential visit with a public health nurse who was viewed as trustworthy. Despite challenges, many recipients of BETTER HEALTH perceived they had achieved at least one personal CDPS goal post PP visit. Residents described key relational aspects of the visit including feeling valued, listened to and being understood by the PP. The PPs also provided practical suggestions to overcome barriers to meeting prevention goals.
Residents living in low income neighbourhoods faced daily stress that reduced their capacity to make preventive lifestyle changes. Key adapted features of BETTER HEALTH such as public health nurses as PPs were highly supported by residents. The intervention was perceived valuable for the community by providing access to disease prevention.
#NCT03052959, 10/02/2017.
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CEKLJ, DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The ColonCancerCheck screening program for colorectal cancer (CRC) in Ontario, Canada, is considering switching from biennial guaiac fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) screening between age 50-74 years ...to the more sensitive, but also less specific fecal immunochemical test (FIT). The aim of this study is to estimate whether the additional benefits of FIT screening compared to gFOBT outweigh the additional costs and harms.
We used microsimulation modeling to estimate quality adjusted life years (QALYs) gained and costs of gFOBT and FIT, compared to no screening, in a cohort of screening participants. We compared strategies with various age ranges, screening intervals, and cut-off levels for FIT. Cost-efficient strategies were determined for various levels of available colonoscopy capacity.
Compared to no screening, biennial gFOBT screening between age 50-74 years provided 20 QALYs at a cost of CAN$200,900 per 1,000 participants, and required 17 colonoscopies per 1,000 participants per year. FIT screening was more effective and less costly. For the same level of colonoscopy requirement, biennial FIT (with a high cut-off level of 200 ng Hb/ml) between age 50-74 years provided 11 extra QALYs gained while saving CAN$333,300 per 1000 participants, compared to gFOBT. Without restrictions in colonoscopy capacity, FIT (with a low cut-off level of 50 ng Hb/ml) every year between age 45-80 years was the most cost-effective strategy providing 27 extra QALYs gained per 1000 participants, while saving CAN$448,300.
Compared to gFOBT screening, switching to FIT at a high cut-off level could increase the health benefits of a CRC screening program without considerably increasing colonoscopy demand.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The current study sought to determine whether health status and health risk behaviors of Canadian women varied based on sexual identity. This was a cross-sectional analysis of data from the Canadian ...Community Health Survey: cycle 2.1, a national population-based survey designed to gather health data on a representative sample of over 135,000 Canadians including 354 lesbian respondents, 424 bisexual women respondents, and 60,937 heterosexual women respondents. Sexual orientation was associated with disparities in health status and health risk behaviors for lesbian and bisexual women in Canada. Bisexual women were more likely than lesbians or heterosexual women to report poor or fair mental and physical health, mood or anxiety disorders, lifetime STD diagnosis, and, most markedly, life-time suicidality. Lesbians and bisexual women were also more likely to report daily smoking and risky drinking than heterosexual women. In sum, sexual orientation was associated with health status in Canada. Bisexual women, in particular, reported poorer health outcomes than lesbian or heterosexual women, indicating this group may be an appropriate target for specific health promotion interventions.
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IJS, NUK, UL, UM, UPUK, VSZLJ
Lynch syndrome (LS) is the most common inherited cause of colorectal cancer. Although testing all colorectal tumors for LS is recommended, the uptake of reflex-testing programs within health systems ...has been limited. This multipronged study describes the design of a provincial program for reflex testing in Ontario, Canada.
We recruited key stakeholders to participate in qualitative interviews to explore the barriers and facilitators to the implementation of a reflex-testing program. Data were analyzed in an iterative manner, key themes identified, and a framework for a proposed program developed.
Twenty-six key informants participated in our interviews, and several themes were identified. These included providing education for stakeholders (patients, primary care providers, surgeons); challenges with sustaining various resources (laboratory costs, increased workload for pathologists); ensuring consistency of reporting test results; and developing a plan to measure program success. Using these themes, a framework for the reflex-testing program was developed. At a subsequent stakeholder meeting, the framework was refined, and recommendations were identified.
This study identifies factors to ensure the effective implementation of a population-level program for reflex LS testing. The final product is a prototype that can be utilized in other jurisdictions, taking into account local environmental considerations.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
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