title: Acceptability of reminder letters for Papanicolaou tests: a survey of women from 23 Family Health Networks in Ontario.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore women's perspectives on the acceptability and content of reminder letters from the family physician for Papanicolaou (Pap) test screening and the effect of reminder letters on compliance with screening recommendations.
  
  
  METHODS
  A population-based survey was conducted in 23 Family Health Networks and Primary Care Networks participating in a demonstration project to increase the delivery of preventive services in Ontario. Questionnaires were mailed to randomly selected women aged 35 to 69 years who had received a reminder letter for a Pap test from their family physician within the previous six months. Two focus groups were conducted with a volunteer sample of respondents.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The usable response rate was 54.3% (406/748). Two-thirds (65.8%, 267/406) of women who completed the survey recalled receiving the reminder letter. Overall, 52.3% (212/405) reported having a Pap test in the past six months. Among women who recalled the reminder letter and scheduled or had a Pap test, 71.4% (125/175) reported that the letter influenced their decision to be screened. The majority of respondents (80.8%, 328/406) wanted to continue to receive reminder letters for Pap tests from their physician, and 34.5% (140/406) wanted to receive additional information about cervical screening. Focus group interviews indicated that women who have had a Pap test may still be unsure about screening recommendations, what the test detects, and the rationale for follow-up procedures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Reminder letters in family practice were viewed as useful and influenced women's decisions to undergo Pap test screening. Women who have had a Pap test may still need additional information about the test.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton ON.
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Karwalajtys
authors.forename: Janusz
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kaczorowski
authors.forename: Lynne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lohfeld
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Laryea
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Roder
authors.forename: Rolf J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Sebaldt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario; D065006:Papanicolaou Test; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017010:Reminder Systems; D014626:Vaginal Smears; D016387:Women's Health