Computerized reminders to encourage cervical screening in family practice.
In a randomized trial three ways of increasing rates of cervical screening were compared for women attending a family medicine center. Working from computerized medical records, 1,587 women aged 18 to 35 years who were overdue for a screening test were included in the study. In a control group, no formal method was used to encourage patients to attend for screening, and 13.7 percent obtained a test within the trial year. In one intervention group the physician was issued a message identifying those women visiting the center for a routine appointment who were due for screening; 16.1 percent were screened. Sending a letter to patients in a second group yielded a 25.9 percent compliance rate. In a third group the practice nurse called patients on the telephone to advise them to obtain the test, and 20.0 percent complied. Reminders issued to the physician provide a low-cost, opportunistic approach to reach women who happen to visit the practice, but this approach should be supplemented by telephoning or sending a letter to those women who do not attend regularly.
McDowell
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I
Department of Epidemiology, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Newell
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C
Rosser
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W
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000555:Ambulatory Care Information Systems; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005194:Family Practice / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007256:Information Systems; D009864:Ontario; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011897:Random Allocation; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*