National CRC Screening Summit | 2025-09 Closing The Screen

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Dr. Elizabeth Siemens, Senior VP for Research at the American Medical Group Association, provided an update on follow-up colonoscopy quality metrics. Her research revealed significant variability in follow-up rates after positive stool-based colorectal cancer screening tests, ranging from 17% to 72%, with disparities linked to race, insurance type, and health status. She highlighted a critical need for a quality performance measure due to low provider awareness of follow-up rates. Siemens’ team developed and tested such a measure, finding it reliable, feasible, and valid across various healthcare organizations and electronic health record systems. Results from a collaborative involving 20 healthcare sites showed improvements in both screening and 90-day follow-up rates, with efforts focused on identifying barriers, improving referral processes, and coordinating care, particularly with gastroenterology. Addressing disparities by age, race, and insurance was also a priority. Ultimately, just a modest increase in colonoscopies is needed to meet follow-up goals, emphasizing targeted interventions and innovative strategies.

Keywords

colonoscopy quality metrics

colorectal cancer screening

follow-up rates variability

healthcare disparities

performance measure development

care coordination