Flexible fiberoptic sigmoidoscopy in family medicine.

Flexible fiberoptic sigmoidoscopy is easily mastered by family physicians. Self-study, along with a minimal amount of supervision, seems to provide adequate training. Patient preparation is essential and is best accomplished with enemas "until clear" rather than with the standard two enemas. Patients prefer the flexible sigmoidoscope to the rigid instrument, and the greater depth of penetration achieved with the former--even with the 35-cm sigmoidoscope--enables the physician to detect significantly more pathologic lesions.