Knowledge and Practice Behaviors of Community-Based Resident Physicians Surrounding Cancer Screening

Cancer screening programs have significantly reduced mortality rates associated with cervical, breast, and colorectal cancers over the past few decades. However, inconsistencies in screening guidelines among healthcare providers raise concerns about the uniformity of recommendations.

This study uses a survey to investigate the practice behaviors and knowledge of cancer screening guidelines among medical residents in family medicine, internal medicine, and general surgery community-based residency programs in the state of Colorado. A multi-institution survey was conducted, with 72 resident physicians participating. The study explores the sources from which residents acquire screening guidelines and evaluates their accuracy in recommending screening ages for colorectal, breast, and cervical cancers.

Results indicate a preference for guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, although there are variations in recommendations among specialties. Although residents demonstrate good knowledge of cervical cancer screening, they exhibit inconsistencies in breast cancer screening ages. Conflicting guidelines are perceived to impact patients' quality of care and confidence in the healthcare system. Residents primarily learn screening recommendations during medical school, highlighting the importance of early education.

The study underscores the need for streamlined and consistent guidelines to mitigate confusion among providers and patients. Further research is recommended to explore the objective impacts of guideline variability on screening practices and patient outcomes.