Document Detail


Gynaecological care of women with abnormal Pap smears: how varied is current practice?
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  7715514     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
OBJECTIVE: To assess the current management by gynaecologists of women with abnormal Papanicolaou (Pap) smears. DESIGN: Self-administered survey of all gynaecologists registered in New South Wales. RESULTS: 242 gynaecologists (73% response rate) returned completed questionnaires. Accredited laboratories were used by 90% of gynaecologists, but only 61% could confirm their laboratories' participation in quality assurance procedures. Consensus on the management of high grade Pap smear abnormalities was confirmed. In contrast, there was considerable variation in the management of minor lesions, provision of patient information and follow-up after treatment. A small but worrying minority of respondents indicated an apparent misunderstanding of important colposcopic principles: 41% were prepared to institute ablative therapy without histological diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Given the nature of practice variation documented in this survey, publication of national guidelines is necessary to improve the screening program. Guidelines in themselves, however, will not be sufficient to ensure that all women with abnormal results of Pap smears receive appropriate and timely management and follow-up. Active dissemination to reduce undesirable variation is required.
Authors:
G V Wain; J Ward; B P Towler
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  The Medical journal of Australia     Volume:  162     ISSN:  0025-729X     ISO Abbreviation:  Med. J. Aust.     Publication Date:  1995 Apr 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1995-05-18     Completed Date:  1995-05-18     Revised Date:  2006-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0400714     Medline TA:  Med J Aust     Country:  AUSTRALIA    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  348-9, 352-3     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Chi-Square Distribution
Colposcopy / statistics & numerical data,  utilization
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Middle Aged
New South Wales
Precancerous Conditions / diagnosis
Quality of Health Care* / standards,  statistics & numerical data
Questionnaires
Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / diagnosis
Vaginal Smears* / standards,  statistics & numerical data
Comments/Corrections
Comment In:
Med J Aust. 1995 Apr 3;162(7):342   [PMID:  7715511 ]

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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