Clients’ Preference for Notification of Pap Smear Results

Abstract

          This study was a descriptive study. The objective of this survey research was to explore clients’ preference for notification of Pap smear results. We collected 400 samples coming to screen Pap smear between March and May 2015 at OB-GYN premium clinic, Somdech Phra Debaratana, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, by answering the questionnaire at OPD. The data was analyzed by using descriptive statistics.

          Results of this study revealed that the average age of the samples was 43.85 years old and most of them were married, Buddhist, graduated with a Bachelor's degree, stayed in Bangkok and had experience of screening Pap smear before (mostly more than 10 times). The channels of the notification of Pap smear test results were as follows 1) notification by phone 2) sending a letter 3) making an appointment 4) sending Short Message Service (SMS) 5) sending electronic mail. We asked the samples to rank the channels of the notification from the most requirement to the least requirement by ranking 1 - 3. We found that when the Pap smear test result was normal. The first rank, the most selected channel was notification by phone (48.8 %). The second is notification by a letter (20.7%) and the third is making an appointment (14.7%)  By the same token, when the Pap smear test result was abnormal. The first rank, the most selected channel was notification by phone (48.25 %). The second and third rank, the most selected channel was making an appointment  and notification by a letter (34.82 % and 28.62 % respectively). Therefore, The most clients choose to use the telephone as a channel to notification of Pap smear

          The results of this study were used as a guideline for implementation at the OB-GYN premium clinic in order to meet the clients’ requirements. Moreover, registered nurses play a vital role in advising and counseling, especially women with abnormal Pap smear test result to diagnose and cure continuously which can reduce the incidence of cervical cancer.