An evaluation of the Waitemata District Health Board Bowel Screening Pilot is being undertaken to help inform a decision on whether it is feasible to roll out a national bowel screening programme.
This report explores the role and value of general practice (GP) in the pilot and draws on quantitative data from the population and provider surveys, the immersion visit interviews and face-to-face interviews with Māori and Pacific who have completed a bowel screening test as part of the pilot.
The role of general practice in informing participants of their positive bowel screening test result is a unique element of the pilot. Internationally, GP involvement in bowel screening has been variable but has nonetheless had a positive impact on participants.