TY - JOUR T1 - Faecal immunochemical test for suspected colorectal cancer symptoms: patient survey of usability and acceptability JF - BJGP Open JO - BJGP Open DO - 10.3399/BJGPO.2021.0102 SP - BJGPO.2021.0102 AU - Theo Georgiou Delisle AU - Nigel D'Souza AU - Bethan Davies AU - Sally Benton AU - Michelle Chen AU - Helen Ward AU - Muti Abulafi A2 - , Y1 - 2022/01/12 UR - http://bjgpopen.org/content/early/2022/01/10/BJGPO.2021.0102.abstract N2 - Background Recent evidence suggests that the faecal immunochemical test (FIT) can rule out colorectal cancer (CRC) in symptomatic patients. To date, there is no research on usability and perception of FIT for these patients.Aim To measure variation in attitudes and perception of FIT in patients with suspected CRC symptoms.Design & setting A cross-sectional survey of a subset of participants of the NICE FIT study.Method A questionnaire was co-developed with patients covering four themes on a Likert scale: FIT feasibility, faecal aversion, patient knowledge, and future intentions. Questionnaire and FIT kits were sent to patients with suspected CRC symptoms participating in the NICE FIT study. Logistic regression explored differences in patients’ test perception by ethnic group, language, age, location, deprivation, FIT use, and previous experience.Results A total of 1151 questionnaires were analysed; 90.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 88.3% to 91.8%) of patients found faecal collection straightforward, 76.3% (95% CI = 73.7% to 78.6%) disagreed FIT was unhygienic, and 78.1% (95% CI = 75.6% to 80.4%) preferred FIT to colonoscopy. Preference for FIT over colonoscopy was weaker in patients aged 40–64 years than those >65 years (odds ratio [OR] 0.60; 95% CI = 0.43 to 0.84). Intention to use FIT again was stronger in patients who successfully used FIT than those unsuccessful (OR 11.08; 95% CI = 2.74 to 44.75), and white compared with non-white patients assessed (OR 3.20; 95% CI = 1.32 to 7.75).Conclusion While most patients found FIT practical and hygienic, perception differences were found. Strategies to engage patients with more negative FIT perception should underpin symptomatic FIT pathways. ER -