Aim
Co-design and implement a digital decision-support tool and education program to strengthen general practice capability in assessing, triaging and referring patients for colonoscopy.
Method
Refer4Scope was developed through a collaboration between clinicians, researchers and policy partners, and informed by national clinical guidelines and the NSW Colonoscopy Categorisation Guide. The project combined an interactive web-based tool with an accredited education program - including case studies, later developed into on-demand learning resources - to support evidence-based decision-making at the point of care.
Results
Refer4Scope integrates patient symptoms, faecal occult blood test results and family history to guide appropriate referrals. The tool has attracted 2000 active users since its launch one year ago, with average sessions of 2 minutes and 55 seconds. Refer4Scope receives positive feedback from clinicians and is embedded in 12 of 13 NSW HealthPathways sites.
Early evidence indicates improved consistency in referral practices and increased confidence among general practitioners in aligning decisions with guidelines.
Conclusion
Refer4Scope demonstrates how a co-designed, digitally enabled model can embed evidence-based prevention into routine care. By improving referral appropriateness and reducing low-value colonoscopies it supports access for high-risk patients, enhances system efficiency, and provides a scalable model to strengthen cancer prevention and early detection pathways.
Refer4Scope is available at www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/refer4scope