The optimum organization for the delivery of colposcopy service in Ontario: a systematic review.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the optimum organization for colposcopy service delivery in Ontario, Canada.


METHODS
A multidisciplinary expert panel was convened to develop a systematic review to inform organizational guidelines. MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, HealthSTAR, and the Cochrane Library databases were searched from 1996 to February 2006 for articles that reported guidance or outcomes relating to improved outcomes in colposcopy training, qualifications, accreditation, maintenance of competency, the delivery of colposcopy, reducing default from colposcopy clinics, and/or strategies to improve patient satisfaction or comfort. In addition, an environmental scan identified unpublished documents related to the delivery of colposcopy services.


RESULTS
Sixteen guidance documents related to the delivery of colposcopy services were identified; 5 from the published literature and 11 from the environmental scan. These documents were used by the panel to inform the systematic review and companion guidelines.


CONCLUSIONS
Overall, the Ontario Colposcopy Guidelines Development Group believes that the benefits associated with the implementation of colposcopy recommendations in Ontario will result in greater organization of care and improved patient outcomes. In addition, the group anticipates that these recommendations will provide useful guidance to regional planning authorities, hospital administrators, and Cancer Care Ontario, as well as colposcopists and other practitioners, in the planning of integrated regional and provincial cancer screening services.
Fung-Kee-Fung
Michael
M
Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Ottawa, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. mfung@ottawahospital.on.ca
Howlett
Roberta I
RI
Oliver
Tom K
TK
Murphy
Joan
J
Elit
Laurie
L
Strychowsky
Julie
J
Roth
Nathan
N
Bryson
S C Peter
SC
McLachlin
C Meg
CM
Bertrand
Monique
M
Shier
Michael
M
McMahon
Eileen
E
McFaul
Susan
S
D003127:Colposcopy; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006298:Health Services Administration; D006801:Humans; D009864:Ontario