Paper: A Nursing-Led Cervical Cancer Screening Program in Quebec: Implementation and Evaluation (Sigma Theta Tau International's 21st International Nursing Research Congress)

Tuesday, 13 July 2010: 1:45 PM

Lyne Cloutier, RN, PhD
Département des sciences infirmières, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
Denis Leroux, PhD
Derpartement of geography, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada
Anne-Marie Grenier, MD
Département de Santé publique, Agence de santé et des services sociaux de la Mauricie et du Centre du Québec, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada

Learning Objective 1: Understand the importance of the continum of care for cervical cancer care

Learning Objective 2: Cite steps necessary to implement an organised cervical cancer screening program

Purpose The levels of cervical cancer screening in Quebec are among the lowest in Canada (71.2% vs 75.7%), and is lower in Mauricie (58.6%). This poor performance convinced regional health authorities to implement a project to increase the screening rate. Using the Zapka theoretical framework for continuum of care in cervical cancer, all areas with discrepancies were identified. Although screening rate needed to be address, quality of care, follow-up and retention were also crucial. Objectives were to enhance the level of screening, develop a new model in which nurses were more closely involved and to build strategies to recruit, follow-up and maintain women participation. Methods A strategic committee that included all stakeholders was created and consulted regularly. Existing services in the region were analysed. A communication campaign was undertaken to reach women in the community using a geographical and sociodemographic analysis. Protocols necessary for the clinic and care quality assessment were created. An instrument to evaluation women’s satisfaction with care delivery was also developed. A model was designed and tested for a clinic in which nurses can actually screen women and pursue follow-up without individual prescriptions. Results In June 2009, the clinic was opened. It targets all women who have never been screened or have not been screened for three years. Journal and radio publicity proved to be the best strategy to recruit women. All test completed by the nurses show a 100% in quality analysis and satisfaction level for nursing care was up to 96%. Conclusion A nursing-led organised program for cervical cancer detection has proven effective in increasing rate of screening. Strategies developed for this program are exportable and could inspire other nurses.

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