UICC World Cancer Congress 2006

Objective: This program was developed to decrease Kentucky's rates of invasive cervical cancer. Recent changes in The Bethesda System and revised cervical cancer screening and management guidelines from national organizations resulted in confusion among providers about which guidelines to follow and which changes in practice should be implemented. Newer screening technologies only created further questions to be addressed.

Methods: A comprehensive update manual was developed for primary care providers including physicians, nurse practitioners/midwives, and physician assistants. Expert physicians from Kentucky in gynecology, oncology and pathology co-authored the manual with contributions from the Oregon Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. The manual was distributed upon request free of charge to those practicing in family medicine, gynecology, or internal medicine. A pre- and post-test (20 true/false questions) was included, along with questions related to intended behavior change and program evaluation. Completion of these questions was required to receive continuing education credit.

Results: The program was ordered by 1283 providers and 648 completed it. Forty-one percent of those completing the program were physicians and 49% were nurse practitioners/midwives. The majority of providers specialized in family medicine. Participants improved by an average of five test questions between pre- and post-test. Knowledge differences in pre-test results were statistically significant between professions and specialties, but not in post-test. The demonstrated change in knowledge from pre to post was associated with specialty only. Responses to intended behavioral change questions showed a wide variation in those already practicing as recommended and those planning on adopting the recommendation.