Implementing changes to cervical screening: A qualitative study with health professionals

Profound changes were made to the Australian National Cervical Screening Program in December 2017, which included a reduction in the frequency of screening and a new cervical screening test.

To explore the attitudes and experiences of health professionals practising in Australia since implementation of these changes.

Thirty-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with general practitioners, obstetricians and gynaecologists, pathologists and nurses involved in cervical screening Australia-wide. Data were analysed using Framework Analysis.

Overall, health professionals had positive attitudes toward the changes but described many challenges associated with their implementation. Participants discussed practical system challenges, communication and education, finding ways around the guidelines and other perceived 'collateral'. Practical system challenges included increased colposcopy referrals, limited access to the National Cancer Screening Register, a complex primary screening approach, and issues with self-collection. In terms of communication and education, limited public education was recognised, in addition to challenges with particular age groups of women. Finding ways around the guidelines were described, for example over-referring women for co-testing by stating symptoms, which could lead to overtreatment. Other perceived collateral were demonstrated through reduced opportunistic screening opportunities due to less frequent primary care presentations, and concern over the potential for further underscreening in already under-screened populations.

These findings provide insight into the challenges health professionals face with renewing programs, in terms of practical issues and unexpected downstream effects which need to be addressed to ensure future implementation of the program is streamlined.