National Cervical Screening Program renewal in Australia: survey of clinician views and attitudes
Sally Sweeney A C , Yan Cheng A , Jessica R. Botfield A and Deborah Bateson B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Family Planning NSW, 328–336 Liverpool Road, Ashfield, NSW 2131, Australia.
B Discipline of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Neonatology, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: sallys@fpnsw.org.au
Australian Journal of Primary Health 26(5) 410-416 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY20032
Submitted: 12 February 2020 Accepted: 10 August 2020 Published: 29 September 2020
Abstract
From 1 December 2017, the National Cervical Screening Program was renewed in Australia, with updated national cervical screening guidelines released. This study was performed to determine clinicians’ familiarity with the updated guidelines and explore their views and attitudes towards the renewed program. Clinicians providing cervical screening in New South Wales, Australia, were invited to complete an online survey in 2018. Of the 241 clinicians who responded, 91.5% supported the change to 5-yearly human papillomavirus screening from the age of 25 years. However, nearly 13% indicated they did not know where to access the renewed guidelines and 37% had never or rarely accessed them. Open-ended responses highlighted clinicians’ concerns about missed cancers and missed opportunities for health checks. Those raising these concerns accessed the guidelines less frequently. The findings highlight important areas for additional education and support for clinicians in translating guidelines into practice to ensure successful delivery of the renewed program.
Keywords: health services: needs and demands, patient-centred care, primary health care, social support, women’s health services.
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