Effect of Patient Education on Postcolposcopy Follow-Up

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of patient education on human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and abnormal Pap smears for women scheduled for colposcopy and their compliance to treatment recommendations. A convenience sample of 60 women was included in the study. The experimental group included 30 women scheduled for colposcopy who received education prior to procedure. Thirty patients in the control group were women referred for colposcopy the year before the study. Both groups were similar in age, ethnicity, insurance status, and histological findings. Recall rates were analyzed between the two groups and results demonstrated a statistical difference in the return rate of the experimental group. Patient education increased compliance to treatment recommendations post colposcopy. Findings provide important information on the importance of educating patients with abnormal Pap results regarding HPV and sequelae of infection.

Keywords

patient education colposcopy Pap smears

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. ( 2009). Cervical cytology screening (ACOG Practice Bulletin No.109). Obstertrical Gynecology, 114, 1409-1420.

Apgar, B. , & Brotzman, G. ( 2004). Management of cervical cytologic abnormalities. American Family Physician, 70, 1904-1916.

Balasubramani, L. , Orkell, S. , Hagger, M. , Brown, V. , & Tidy, J. ( 2008). Can default rates in colposcopy really be reduced? BJOG, 115, 403-408.

Benning, B.R. , & Lund, M.R. ( 2006, March). Patient knowledge about human papillomavirus and abnormal Pap smears. Poster session presented at the biennial meeting of the ASSCP, Las Vegas, NV.

Block, B. , & Branham, R.A. ( 1998). Efforts to improve the follow-up of patients with abnormal Papinicalaou test results. Journal of American Board of Family Practice, 11(1), 1-11.

Fey, M. , & Beal, M. ( 2004). The role of human papillomavirus testing in cervical cancer prevention. Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health, 48, 1-13.

Ferris, D.B. , Cox, J.T. , O’Connor, D.M. , Wright, V.C. , & Foerster, J. ( 2004). Modern colposcopy (2nd ed.). Dubuque, IO: Kendall/ Hunt.

Jemmott, L.S. , Jemmott, J.B. , & O’Leary, A. (2007). Effects on sexual risk behavior and STD rate of brief HIV/STD prevention interventions for African American women in primary care settings. American Journal of Public Health, 97, 1034-1040. Retrieved from http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/561462

Khanna, N. , & Phillips, M.D. (2001). Adherence to care plan in women with abnormal Papinicalaou smears: A review of barriers and interventions . Journal of American Board of Family Practice, 14, 123-130. Retrieved from http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/405839

10.

Lambert, E.C. ( 2001). College students’ knowledge of human papillomavirus and effectiveness of a brief educational intervention. Journal of American Board of Family Practice, 14, 178-183.

11.

McCree, D.H. , Sharpe, P.A. , Brandt, H.M. , & Robertson, R. ( 2006). Preferences for sources of information about abnormal Pap tests and HPV in women tested for HPV. Preventive Medicine , 43, 165-170.

12.

National Institutes of Health. (1994). Clear & simple: Developing effective print materials for low-literate readers (NIH Publication No. 95-3594). Bethesda, MD: Author.

13.

Pruitt, S. , Parker, P.A. , Follen, M. , & Basen-Enquist, K. (2008). Communicating colposcopy results: What do patients and providers discuss? American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease, 12, 95-102.

14.

Reality Check on Cervical Cancer. (2008). Retrieved from http://www.npwh.org/i4a/headlines/headlinearchives.cfm

15.

Tirrell-Martin, J. ( 2008). Do women comply with recommendations for Papanicalaou smears following colposcopy? A retrospective study. Journal of Midwifery Women’s Health, 53, 138-142.

16.

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. (2009 ). Behavioral counseling to prevent sexually transmitted infections: Recommendation Statement. Retrieved from http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf08/sti/stirs.htm

17.

Weber, D. , & Leone, P. ( 2005). Understanding human papillomavirus. [Special Issue]. Consultant, 45(3), 6-17.

18.

Wheeler, C.M. ( 2007). Advances in primary and secondary interventions for cervical cancer: Prophylactic human papillomavirus vaccine. Nature Clinical Practice Oncology, 4, 224-235. Retrieved from http:www.medscape.com/viewarticle/555176

19.

Yacobi, E. , Tennant, C. , Ferrante, J. , Pal, N. , & Roetzheim, R. ( 1999). University students knowledge and awareness of HPV. Preventive Medicine, 28, 535-541.