Physician recommendation plays an important role when it comes to diagnosing colorectal cancer (CRC). In a recent American Journal of Public Health study, conducted by Dr. Nasar U. Ahmed, Valerie Pelletier, Kelly Winter, and Dr. Ahmed N. Albatineh, the authors explored factors associated with racial and ethnic differences in rates of screening recommendations. AJPH Student Editorial Board Member Shailesh Advani sat down with Dr. Ahmed to talk about his study, "Factors Explaining Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Rates of Physician Recommendation for Colorectal Cancer Screening."
Q: How do you perceive screening for colorectal cancer
patients to change in the future?
Ahmed: In our society ,especially in
the U.S., choices have to fit into convenience. In the future, screening needs to be
non-invasive, less time consuming, simple, and effective in detecting the earliest
possible stage of precancerous level so that something can be done to prevent this type of cancer.
Q: You highlight the racial/ethnic differences in
screening procedures as well as physician recommendations. What would be some
ways in which we can promote/encourage our physicians to recommend screening to
all?
Ahmed: Our physicians should
receive an effective curriculum on social medicine from their medical schools. Mass
media, along with social media, should highlight the success of effective social
medicine. Hopefully, physicians will
play a role in taking preventative approaches, including screenings and helping promote healthy lives that could benefit everyone as a whole.
Q: How do you feel the Affordable Care Act will influence
these screening behaviors, as well as access to care in the future?
Ahmed: It is exciting! Hopefully, this is the
first step towards universal healthcare that can address access and utilization
issues related to all preventative health seeking behaviors.
Q: Racial beliefs
and practices greatly influences one's perspective and behavior. In terms of
interventions directed towards Hispanics or African Americans, what role can
students and public health universities play?
Ahmed: Public health students can
start from their homes – family and relatives.
This way, they can overcome the anguage barrier, cultural and social norms, and
effectively communicate the benefit of health seeking behaviors and change perceptions
of their loved ones. Their schools should provide academic credit for this kind
real life public health practice.
Q: What are the few upcoming areas in colorectal cancer
screening and survivor ship that you think will influence future research,
funding and policy making?
Ahmed: Areas that will influence
future research funding and policy making will be low-cost early dictation (screening), and efficient and effective usages the system aligned with the Affordable Care Act
(policy).
Reference:
Nasar U. Ahmed, Valerie Pelletier, Kelly Winter, and Ahmed N.
Albatineh.
Factors Explaining Racial/Ethnic Disparities in
Rates of Physician Recommendation for Colorectal Cancer Screening.
American Journal of Public Health: July 2013, Vol. 103, No. 7, pp.
e91-e99.
To access the full article, please visit the following website: http://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/abs/10.2105/AJPH.2012.301034
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