Workgroup V: Professional education and advocacy. UICC International Workshop on Facilitating Screening for Colorectal Cancer, Oslo, Norway (29 and 30 June 2002)

In order to perform screening effectively, countries planning to implement colorectal cancer screening need to: (i) identify roles for different types of health-care professionals; (ii) develop tools for overcoming barriers to effective colorectal screening; (iii) ensure that screening is adequately reimbursed so that the costs of the program are not prohibitive and that providers of screening do not have economic disincentives that would discourage screening; (iv) develop comprehensive quality assurance programs for individuals and centers engaged in colorectal cancer screening; (v) make available data management and follow-up systems that are feasible for use in primary care practice and endoscopy centers; and (vi) provide training opportunities to health professionals and advocates to ensure that they have adequate knowledge and skills for screening and its promotion. © 2005 European Society for Medical Oncology.