Table 1.

A call to action: Recommended priorities for improving complete diagnostic follow-up after abnormal colorectal cancer screening tests

Research	Fund multilevel (ie, health system, provider, patient) research on: Barriers to completing diagnostic follow-up after abnormal colorectal cancer screening tests. Solutions for completing diagnostic follow-up after abnormal colorectal cancer screening tests. Implementation processes for completing diagnostic follow-up after abnormal colorectal cancer screening tests.
Policy	In the United States, eliminate cost sharing for diagnostic colonoscopy after an abnormal screening test. In the United States, a quality metric measuring rate of diagnostic colonoscopy could be implemented nationally. (ie, the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set, the Universal Data Set for Federally Qualified Community Health Centers). Worldwide, make rate of complete diagnostic follow-up a quality metric.
Practice	Redouble efforts to ensure high-quality colonoscopy, especially among participants of organized colorectal cancer screening programs. Monitor and address low follow-up rates.