Communicating colposcopy results: what do patients and providers discuss?
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.
Pruitt
Sandi L
SL
Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research,The University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, TX, USA.
Parker
Patricia A
PA
Follen
Michele
M
Basen-Engquist
Karen
K
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