Do they cope or mope? A survey of GPs’ experiences with the changes in the Norwegian Cervical Cancer Screening Programme

Abstract

Objective To explore Norwegian general practitioners’ (GPs) experiences with the changes in the cervical cancer screening programme and to uncover which aspects of the programme they find most challenging. Design We conducted an electronic cross-sectional survey. Setting Norwegian GPs were invited to participate in the survey between February and September in 2020. Subjects One hundred and fifty-five of 429 invited Norwegian GPs responded. Main outcome measures Self-reported measures were used to analyse GPs experiences and beliefs related to the screening programme. Results Most GPs did not find it particularly challenging to keep up with the changes in the screening programme, regardless of whether they came from areas with HPV-based or cytology-based cervical cancer screening implemented. Challenges concerning the follow-up of patients after an abnormal test were a frequently reported issue. We did not find any differences in how often GPs were uncertain of the follow-up of an abnormal test result in areas with HPV-based compared to cytology-based screening. Conclusions The implementation of HPV-based cervical cancer screening in women 34–69 years does not seem to have affected how challenging the GPs perceive the screening programme. Key Points How Norwegian general practitioners (GPs) keep up with changes in the Norwegian Cervical Cancer Screening Programme (NCCSP) has not been assessed previously. Most GPs did not find it particularly challenging to keep up with changes in the NCCSP regardless of whether they belonged to an area of HPV-based or cytology-based screening. The follow-up of patients with an abnormal test result was one of the main challenges reported by the GPs.