title: An assessment of smear taker training in the Northern & Yorkshire cervical screening programme.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the impact of a regional smear taker training scheme within the Northern and Yorkshire Cervical Screening Programme.
  
  
  METHODS
  An analysis of cervical screening KC activity returns to the Department of Health before and after the introduction of a structured training programme for smear takers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Northern and Yorkshire Region of England.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women participating in cervical screening.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The introduction of a region-wide smear taker training programme has resulted in fewer inadequate cervical smears, fewer opportunistic smears and fewer women aged below 20 having cervical smears. The training programme is cost effective.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is recommended that all cervical screening programmes consider the introduction of smear taker training. It is a cost-effective approach to running the cervical screening programme.
authors.affiliation: Quality Assurance Reference Centre, Newcastle General Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. keith.faulkner@newcastle-pct.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Faulkner
authors.forename: Lesley
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Greenwood
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stamp
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000488:Allied Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D004496:Education, Continuing; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data