Abstract
It is unknown how physician specialties other than gastroenterologists that manage gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies utilize endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in their practices. The aim of this study was to (i) assess the proportion of gastroenterologists, oncologists, and surgeons that utilize EUS for staging of GI malignancies; (ii) assess the general availability of EUS; and (iii) determine which factors are associated with the use and availability of EUS. A self-administered questionnaire was mailed out to 1,200 randomly selected gastroenterologists, oncologists, and surgeons throughout the United States. The data was analyzed from 521 (43%) responses. There were 60% respondents who had EUS available within their practices. There was greater availability of EUS within the practices of surgeons (81%; p < 0.001), within academic practices (87%; p= < 0.001), and in practices that serve a population >500,000 (p < 0.001). The majority of respondents (71%) utilized EUS in their practices. There was a similar utilization of EUS across specialties (p= NS). There was greater utilization of EUS in academic centers (82%; p < 0.001), in practices that served a community of >500,000 (p= 0.003), and among respondents who had been in practice for less than 5 yr (p= 0.005). Employing logistic regression models for utilization of EUS, lesser number of years in practice, and availability of EUS were found to be the only significant predictors of utilization. The majority of practitioners utilized EUS in management of GI malignancies. There was similar utilization of EUS across specialties. EUS is available to the majority of practitioners who manage GI malignancies.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.