Notification of Papanicolaou smear results: a survey of women's experiences and preferred means of notification

In a population of Australian women attending a colposcopy clinic, we aimed to establish the method by which they were notified of their Pap smear result, who notified them of their result, and if given the choice, how they would prefer to be notified. Of women attending a colposcopy clinic between October 1998 and June 1999, 59.7% participated in the survey There was a final sample of 210 women after exclusion of questionnaires with missing data. The doctor most often notified women of their Pap smear result (81.7%). The usual methods of notification were by a follow-up appointment (43.1%), by a telephone call (35.8%) or with a letter (13.8%); 42% of women preferred to be notified with a mailed copy of the report and explanation of follow-up; 29.6% preferred to be telephoned with the result, and 11.3% would prefer a follow-up appointment. Women preferred methods of notification which were initiated by the doctor. Women have varying preferences, which commonly differ from the current services provided by both GPs and colposcopy clinic. To overcome this, women could be asked to nominate their preferred method of notification when completing the cervical smear request form.