Development of a flexible sigmoidoscopy training program for rural nurse practitioners and physician assistants to increase colorectal cancer screening among Alaska Native people

J Health Care Poor Underserved. 2009 Nov;20(4):1041-8. doi: 10.1353/hpu.0.0223.

Abstract

At the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage, colorectal cancer screening rates improved dramatically with the initiation of a dedicated flexible sigmoidoscopy screening program staffed by mid-level providers. We describe the development and implementation of a program to train rural nurse practitioners and physician assistants in flexible sigmoidoscopy.

MeSH terms

  • Alaska
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Community Health Services
  • Curriculum
  • Early Detection of Cancer / statistics & numerical data*
  • Health Promotion / methods*
  • Humans
  • Indians, North American* / psychology
  • Nurse Practitioners / education*
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care
  • Physician Assistants / education*
  • Professional-Patient Relations
  • Program Development
  • Rural Health Services
  • Sigmoidoscopy*