Introducing colon capsule endoscopy as a new diagnostic modality for patients with bowel symptoms in general practice: a feasibility study
Abstract Background Bowel symptoms are common in general practice and though most often benign they can also indicate colorectal cancer where a colonoscopy often is required to rule out malignant disease. Colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) is suggested as a more patient-friendly alternative to colonoscop...
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| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-05-01
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| Series: | BMC Primary Care |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-025-02864-4 |
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| author | Peter Haastrup Jens Søndergaard Thomas Bjørsum-Meyer Benedicte Schelde-Olesen Gunnar Baatrup |
| author_facet | Peter Haastrup Jens Søndergaard Thomas Bjørsum-Meyer Benedicte Schelde-Olesen Gunnar Baatrup |
| author_sort | Peter Haastrup |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Bowel symptoms are common in general practice and though most often benign they can also indicate colorectal cancer where a colonoscopy often is required to rule out malignant disease. Colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) is suggested as a more patient-friendly alternative to colonoscopy but its application in symptomatic patients in general practice needs further investigation. Materials and methods We present a feasibility study of integrating initial triage for CCE into general practice. The technical success of CCE, patient acceptance, and the experiences of general practitioners (GPs) are assessed through qualitative interviews with participating GPs. Results We were able to recruit some general practices from the area of interest, but inclusion of patients was low. The participating GPs welcomed the concept of CCE as a more patient-friendly procedure and most patients invited by the GP accepted inclusion. Difficulties remembering the project in the diverse everyday of general practice, GP shortage and general time restraints were reported as barriers for patient recruitment by the GPs. Conclusion Before conducting large-scale implementation studies of CCE, our investigation highlighted critical barriers that need addressing: (1) Time Constraints and GP Shortages: The design of task divisions between sectors should carefully consider time limitations and the scarcity of GPs. (2) Low reinvestigation rates: Minimizing reinvestigation rates is crucial to reduce strain on both patients and healthcare systems. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d1944bc2d3ff4e6db092ba79e5806a90 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2731-4553 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Primary Care |
| spelling | doaj-art-d1944bc2d3ff4e6db092ba79e5806a902025-08-20T03:48:06ZengBMCBMC Primary Care2731-45532025-05-012611810.1186/s12875-025-02864-4Introducing colon capsule endoscopy as a new diagnostic modality for patients with bowel symptoms in general practice: a feasibility studyPeter Haastrup0Jens Søndergaard1Thomas Bjørsum-Meyer2Benedicte Schelde-Olesen3Gunnar Baatrup4Research Unit of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Southern DenmarkResearch Unit of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Southern DenmarkDepartment of Surgery, Odense University HospitalDepartment of Surgery, Odense University HospitalDepartment of Surgery, Odense University HospitalAbstract Background Bowel symptoms are common in general practice and though most often benign they can also indicate colorectal cancer where a colonoscopy often is required to rule out malignant disease. Colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) is suggested as a more patient-friendly alternative to colonoscopy but its application in symptomatic patients in general practice needs further investigation. Materials and methods We present a feasibility study of integrating initial triage for CCE into general practice. The technical success of CCE, patient acceptance, and the experiences of general practitioners (GPs) are assessed through qualitative interviews with participating GPs. Results We were able to recruit some general practices from the area of interest, but inclusion of patients was low. The participating GPs welcomed the concept of CCE as a more patient-friendly procedure and most patients invited by the GP accepted inclusion. Difficulties remembering the project in the diverse everyday of general practice, GP shortage and general time restraints were reported as barriers for patient recruitment by the GPs. Conclusion Before conducting large-scale implementation studies of CCE, our investigation highlighted critical barriers that need addressing: (1) Time Constraints and GP Shortages: The design of task divisions between sectors should carefully consider time limitations and the scarcity of GPs. (2) Low reinvestigation rates: Minimizing reinvestigation rates is crucial to reduce strain on both patients and healthcare systems.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-025-02864-4Colon capsule endoscopyColonoscopyBowel symptomsGeneral practiceFeasibility |
| spellingShingle | Peter Haastrup Jens Søndergaard Thomas Bjørsum-Meyer Benedicte Schelde-Olesen Gunnar Baatrup Introducing colon capsule endoscopy as a new diagnostic modality for patients with bowel symptoms in general practice: a feasibility study BMC Primary Care Colon capsule endoscopy Colonoscopy Bowel symptoms General practice Feasibility |
| title | Introducing colon capsule endoscopy as a new diagnostic modality for patients with bowel symptoms in general practice: a feasibility study |
| title_full | Introducing colon capsule endoscopy as a new diagnostic modality for patients with bowel symptoms in general practice: a feasibility study |
| title_fullStr | Introducing colon capsule endoscopy as a new diagnostic modality for patients with bowel symptoms in general practice: a feasibility study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Introducing colon capsule endoscopy as a new diagnostic modality for patients with bowel symptoms in general practice: a feasibility study |
| title_short | Introducing colon capsule endoscopy as a new diagnostic modality for patients with bowel symptoms in general practice: a feasibility study |
| title_sort | introducing colon capsule endoscopy as a new diagnostic modality for patients with bowel symptoms in general practice a feasibility study |
| topic | Colon capsule endoscopy Colonoscopy Bowel symptoms General practice Feasibility |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-025-02864-4 |
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