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REVIEW (Open Access)
Contents Vol 31(2)

The role of general practitioners in the follow-up of positive results from the Australian National Bowel Cancer Screening Program – a scoping review

Jane Gaspar A B * , Caroline Bulsara A B , Diane Arnold-Reed https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2469-3820 C , Karen Taylor B Anne Williams D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Institute for Health Research, University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, WA 6160, Australia.

B School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, WA 6160, Australia.

C School of Medicine, University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, WA 6160, Australia.

D School of Nursing, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia.

* Correspondence to: jane.gaspar@nd.edu.au

Australian Journal of Primary Health 31, PY24090 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY24090
Submitted: 30 July 2024  Accepted: 10 February 2025  Published: 4 March 2025

© 2025 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of La Trobe University. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND)

Abstract

Background

There are several studies investigating the effectiveness and participation rates of the Australian National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP), but there is limited literature pertaining to the role and processes that general practitioners (GPs) follow after a positive immunochemical faecal occult blood test (iFOBT) result. The aim of this paper is to review evidence examining GP involvement in the follow-up of positive iFOBT results from the NBCSP and identify knowledge gaps.

Methods

A scoping review was undertaken involving the search of the Cochrane Library, Informit, PubMed and Scopus electronic databases. Inclusion criteria were the follow-up processes and practices by GPs subsequent to notification of a positive iFOBT from this program. Searches were limited to English and publication was from January 2006 to January 2024. A combination of keywords was used and adapted to each search engines’ requirements: general practitioner AND bowel cancer AND screening AND Australia.

Results

Relevant sources of evidence were reviewed, and 24 records met inclusion criteria. Results are represented across three themes: (i) screening process and GP follow-up; (ii) follow-up rates and facilitation; and (iii) recommendations for improved follow-up.

Conclusion

This scoping review provides insight into the central role GPs play in the implementation of the NBCSP and highlights the lack of information regarding steps taken and systems employed in general practice to manage positive iFOBTs.

Keywords: Australia, bowel cancer screening, general practice, general practitioner, iFOBT, immunochemical faecal occult blood test, National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, NBCSP, primary health care.

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