United Kingdom colposcopy survey, British Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology

To audit various aspects of colposcopy practice throughout the United Kingdom on behalf of BSCCP.

A postal questionnaire was circulated to those responsible for colposcopy services in all districts in the United Kingdom in 1988, followed by a smaller survey of 40 clinics in 1990 to detect any trends.

Information was sought on colposcopy workload, referral criteria, treatment method and follow-up, waiting times, staffing and training.

There was a 71% response to the national survey of 1988 practice which alone accounted for 80,000 new referrals for colposcopy. Cytological criteria for colposcopy referral were generally liberal. In 1988 laser ablation was the single most popular method, and waiting times for colposcopy varied, with 79% of patients being seen within 8 weeks of referral. Colposcopy clinics run by non-gynaecologists, mainly genito-urinary physicians, were reported by 32% of districts. Half the respondents did not have accurate statistics, only 17% being computerized, and dissatisfaction with clerical support was widespread. Resources are required to improve administration and data collection. The principal findings from the 1990 data subset were a 10% reduction for new patient referrals compared with 1988 and the use of diathermy loop excision by one-third as their preferred treatment.

This audit of colposcopy has provided useful information as well as a means of monitoring trends in colposcopy activity in the future.