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Experience with a one-stop colorectal clinic
L S Jones1, R W Nicholson, D A Evans
1Department of Surgery, Blackburn Royal Infirmary, Blackburn, U.K.
Journal of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
|May 2, 2001
Summary
A new one-stop colorectal clinic improved patient care by offering evening appointments and performing flexible sigmoidoscopy during initial assessments. This reduced waiting times for lower gastrointestinal endoscopy, benefiting numerous patients.
Area of Science:
- Colorectal surgery
- Gastroenterology
- Health services research
Background:
- Traditional colorectal service models prioritize hospital convenience over patient needs.
- Minor interventions and diagnostic procedures are particularly affected by inconvenient scheduling.
- A novel one-stop colorectal clinic was established to improve patient-centered care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a one-stop colorectal clinic.
- To assess patient satisfaction with an evening clinic model.
- To determine the impact of the clinic on waiting times for lower gastrointestinal endoscopy.
Main Methods:
- Weekly evening clinics were conducted over six months.
- Consultants or specialist registrars saw patients with various anorectal and bowel symptoms.
- Proctoscopy, rigid sigmoidoscopy, and flexible sigmoidoscopy were performed during initial assessments.
Main Results:
- 197 patients attended 17 clinics, with high rates of proctoscopy and sigmoidoscopy.
- Hemorrhoids were the most common diagnosis (n=104), with 14 colorectal neoplasms identified.
- Waiting lists for lower gastrointestinal endoscopy decreased significantly during the study period.
Conclusions:
- The one-stop clinic model substantially enhanced patient care and satisfaction.
- Evening clinics and initial flexible sigmoidoscopy were well-tolerated and effective.
- The clinic demonstrated a marked positive impact on reducing endoscopy waiting times.