PMID: 11314919Apr 21, 2001Paper

Adherence to care plan in women with abnormal Papanicolaou smears: a review of barriers and interventions

The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice
N Khanna, M D Phillips

Abstract

Cancer of the cervix is preventable. According to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program, invasive cervical cancer incidence is 9.0 and cancer mortality rate is 2.8 per 100,000 persons. Effective prevention includes appropriate use of Papanicolaou smears and adherence to a care plan by the patient. This review will examine the extent of nonadherence, negative outcomes, barriers, and interventions for improved adherence to care. Computer searches in MEDLINE for English language articles were conducted from 1968 to 1999 using the key words "colposcopy," "abnormal Papanicolaou smear," "patient compliance," "adherence to care," and "follow-up." Although there is 10% to 40% nonadherence in the studies reviewed, the definition of nonadherence is not standard. Considerable morbidity from cervical cancer was described among nonadherent women. The most common barriers to follow-up were lack of understanding of the purpose of colposcopy, fear of cancer, forgetting appointments, and lack of time, money, or childcare. Emotional consequences of abnormal Papanicolaou smears had considerable impact on follow-up visits. Focused intervention strategies targeted to the study population were most effective in improving adh...Continue Reading

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