[The Dutch College of General Practitioners guidelines on 'Rectal bleeding': a realistic view of a warning sign].

The new guideline on rectal bleeding presents a clear view on what can and should be done in primary care in cases of visible rectal blood loss. However, it does not elaborate on approaches that can be taken to verify that 'rectal bleeding' really is caused by blood loss from the gastrointestinal tract, notably by use of a faecal occult blood test. Nevertheless, the guideline presents practical risk factors that require further diagnostic testing by colonoscopy. More importantly however, plenty of attention is given to the diagnostics and possible interventions that apply to benign causes of rectal bleeding: haemorrhoids, fissures and proctitis. This guideline should stimulate further broadening of proctological skills among general practitioners.