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. 2007 Jul;21(7):431-4.
doi: 10.1155/2007/817810.

Colonoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy practice patterns in Ontario: a population-based study

Susan E Schultz  1 , Chris Vinden, Linda Rabeneck
Affiliations

Colonoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy practice patterns in Ontario: a population-based study

Susan E Schultz et al. Can J Gastroenterol. 2007 Jul.

Abstract
in English, French

Objective: To conduct a population-based study on the provision of large bowel endoscopic services in Ontario.

Methods: Data from the following databases were analyzed: the Ontario Health Insurance Plan, the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences Physicians Database and Statistics Canada. The flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy rates per 10,000 persons (50 to 74 years of age) by region between April 1, 2001, and March 31, 2002, were calculated, as well as the numbers and types of physicians who performed each procedure.

Results: In 2001/2002, a total of 172,108 colonoscopies and 43,400 flexible sigmoidoscopies were performed in Ontario for all age groups. The colonoscopy rate was approximately five times that of flexible sigmoidoscopy; rates varied from 463.1 colonoscopies per 10,000 people in the north to 286.8 colonoscopies per 10,000 people in the east. Gastroenterologists in all regions tended to perform more procedures per physician, but because of the large number of general surgeons, the total number of procedures performed by each group was almost the same.

Conclusion: Population-based rates of colonoscopies and flexible sigmoidoscopies are low in Ontario, as are the procedure volumes of approximately one-quarter of physicians.

OBJECTIF :: Mener une étude en population générale au sujet de la prestation des services endoscopiques du gros intestin en Ontario.

MÉTHODOLOGIE :: On a analysé les données des bases de données suivantes : la Régie d’assurance-maladie de l’Ontario, la base de données des médecins de l’Institut de recherche en services de santé et Statistique Canada. On a calculé les taux de sigmoïdoscopies flexibles et de coloscopies pour 10 000 habitants (de 50 à 74 ans) selon la région entre le 1er avril 2001 et le 31 mars 2002, ainsi que le nombre et le type de médecins qui ont effectué chaque intervention.

RÉSULTATS :: En 2001–2002, on a exécuté 172 108 coloscopies et 43 400 sigmoïdoscopies flexibles en Ontario, dans tous les groupes d’âge. Le taux de coloscopies était environ cinq fois plus élevé que celui de sigmoïdoscopies flexibles. Les taux variaient entre 463,1 coloscopies pour 10 000 habitants au Nord à 286,8 coloscopies pour 10 000 habitants à l’Est. Les gastroentérologues de toutes les régions avaient tendance à effectuer plus d’interventions par médecin, mais en raison du grand nombre de chirurgiens généralistes, chaque groupe a effectué un total d’interventions presque similaire.

CONCLUSION :: Les taux de coloscopies et de sigmoïdoscopies en population générale sont faibles en Ontario, de même que le volume d’interventions d’environ le quart des médecins.

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Figures

Figure 1)
Figure 1)
Supply of physicians performing colonoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy (Flex sig) in 2001/2002 by physician specialty group and region in Ontario
Figure 2)
Figure 2)
Proportional distribution of colonoscopies and flexible sigmoidoscopies (Flex sig) performed in 2001/2002 by physician specialty group and region in Ontario
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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