title: Communicating colposcopy results: what do patients and providers discuss?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We describe the content of providers' postcolposcopy consultations and women's perceptions of consultations and their conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consultations (n = 47) were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed. Women were interviewed immediately after consultations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Providers often named or described the diagnosis (n = 46), suggested a return appointment date (n = 41), and asked if women understood the diagnosis or had any questions (n = 40). Risk factors and causes of cervical cancer, including human papillomavirus infection, smoking, and sexual activity, were rarely discussed (n = 5). The majority (n = 40) of women were asked if they understood the provider's explanation or had any questions. Women rated quality of their provider's explanation as high and the severity of and worry about their condition as moderate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Postcolposcopy consultations focused on follow-up screening and treatment. Risk factors and causes of cervical cancer were discussed infrequently.
authors: Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research,The University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, TX, USA.
authors: Sandi L
authors: SL
authors: Pruitt
authors: Patricia A
authors: PA
authors: Parker
authors: Michele
authors: M
authors: Follen
authors: Karen
authors: K
authors: Basen-Engquist
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods; D003127:Colposcopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011379:Prognosis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control