Colposcopy Anxiety and the Role of Pre-procedure Nursing Intervention

Université de Sherbrooke

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 3

Conditions: Anxiety; Pain

Treatments: Other: Pre-colposcopy counseling by a clinical nurse; Other: Treatment as usual: regular call to schedule the appointment without pre-procedure conseilling

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07092189

2024-5032

Details and patient eligibility

About

Colposcopy is essential for the diagnosis and prevention of cervical cancer. However, receiving screening results and being informed of the need to undergo a colposcopic examination are significant sources of anxiety for patients. This randomized controlled study aims to evaluate the impact of an intervention by a clinical nurse prior to a first colposcopy on patients' situational anxiety. Secondary objectives include patient satisfaction, perceived pain during the examination, and the exploration of sociodemographic factors related to anxiety.

Enrollment: 140 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: Under 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• People with a cervix
• 21-65 years old
• Speaking French
• Abnormal pap smears warranting a colposcopy

Exclusion criteria

• Refusal to participate
• Inability to provide consent.
• Having previously undergone a colposcopy.
• Being pregnant
• Having a reason for consultation other than an abnormal cytology result (such as VIN, VAIN, suspected cancer, vulvar dermatological issues, etc.).

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

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140 participants in 2 patient groups

Treatment as usual- No pre-procedure counseling about colposcopy

Sham Comparator group

Description:

Call from the clinical nurse to schedule the appointment without counseling

Treatment:

Other: Treatment as usual: regular call to schedule the appointment without pre-procedure conseilling

Pre-colposcopy counseling from a clinical nurse

Experimental group

Description:

In the intervention group, the clinical nurse conducted a structured pre-colposcopy counseling session covering the following topics: verification of the patient's understanding of the reason for the colposcopy referral, explanation of the cervical cytology result, the procedure of the colposcopy, expectations regarding pain, the role of HPV in the development of precancerous and cancerous cervical lesions, counseling on HPV vaccination, and smoking cessation."

Treatment:

Other: Pre-colposcopy counseling by a clinical nurse