Video endoscopy by nurse practitioners: a model for colorectal cancer screening

The use of paramedical personnel to perform sigmoidoscopy as a screening test for colorectal cancer has been advocated as a means of increasing the availability of this test to the population at risk. A model system has been developed utilizing flexible videosigmoidoscopy performed by nurse practitioners with videotape review by physician endoscopists. Of the 100 patients studied, 36 were found to have polyps. Near excellent concordance (k = 0.72) was observed between the nurse practitioner's findings and those of the physician. Using the physician's review as the standard, overall sensitivity and specificity of the nurse practitioner's examinations were 75% and 94%, respectively. In conclusion, videosigmoidoscopy performed by nurse practitioners and reviewed by physician endoscopists is a feasible approach to colorectal cancer screening since it is safe, provides videotape documentation to ensure quality control, and expands available resources for the performance of this examination.