Internet survey of colposcopy practices.

Publication/Presentation Date

7-1-1997

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to use electronic mail to survey health care providers about practice patterns involving atypical Papanicolaou smears.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A six-item questionnaire evaluating demographics and practice patterns was distributed on two Internet electronic mail forums: OB-GYN-L and GYN-DOCS. There were approximately 340 eligible participants.

RESULTS: A total of 88 (26%) completed surveys were received. The percentage of respondents to the survey who would refer patients for colposcopy was 42% for findings of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance, unqualified (ASCUS-unqualified), 92% for findings of ASCUS-favoring neoplastic change, 18% for ASCUS-favoring reactive change, and 95% for low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LGSILs). With the exception of ASCUS-favoring neoplastic change as compared to LGSILs, each category was found to be statistically different from the others (p < .001) in colposcopy practice.

CONCLUSIONS: This survey of practice patterns suggests that subdividing ASCUS into types favoring either reactive or neoplastic changes has been adopted clinically. LGSIL and ASCUS-favoring neoplastic change are triaged to colposcopy, whereas findings of ASCUS-favoring reactive changes are followed by colposcopy. Surveys conducted via electronic mail may have lower response rates than postal surveys.

Volume

1

Issue

3

First Page

151

Last Page

153

ISSN

1089-2591

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

25951021

Department(s)

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Document Type

Article

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