The effect of video information on anxiety levels in women attending colposcopy: A randomized controlled trial.

Rationale:

An abnormal Pap smear result can affect a woman's life in a negative manner. Women do not anticipate abnormal smear results and are taken by surprise. It frequently results in fear of cancer and worries about fertility. Further, women have uncertainty about what is going to happen and what the colposcopic procedure entails. In order to reach the greatest benefit from the screening programme, it seems to be important to decrease the fear and anxiety, and to improve information supply. These anxiety levels before primary colposcopy are not reduced by individually targeted information. There is little information that video information will reduce anxiety levels before colposcopy.



Objective:

This study will be conducted to evaluate whether providing video information before colposcopy reduces fear in women with an abnormal cervical smear result referred to the colposcopy clinic.



Study design:

Randomized controlled trial.



Study population:

The study population will consist of all new patients, 18 years and older, who are referred for colposcopic evaluation due to an abnormal Pap smear result.



Intervention:

One group will consist of patients who receive the standard information leaflet and additional video information. The control group will consist of patients who will only receive the standard information leaflet.



Main study parameters:

The effect of information on the anxiety, fear, quality of life and pain among women with an abnormal Pap smear result. The differences in scores of anxiety, depression, quality of life and pain among women with an abnormal Pap smear result. The differences in scores of anxiety, depression, quality of life and pain between group A and B.

This study will be conducted to see whether providing video information on an individuel level reduces fear and stress in women with an abnormal cervical smear result referred to the colposcopy clinic.

T0: After informed consent, alle participating patients are requested to fill out all questionnaires;

T1: Before colposcopy all patients are requested to fill out all questionnaires;

T2: After colposcopy all patients are requested to fill out all questionnaires.

Group A will consist of patients who receive the standard information leaflet and additional video information before colposcopy. Meaning that the Pap smear result, the colposcopy, the possible treatment, and some of the matters that surround will be explained by a gynecologist. Also, the hospital, the department, reception desk, room and examination will be showed in this video.



Group B will consist of patients who receive only the standard information leaflet on the Pap smear result, the colposcopy and the possible treatment. The means of the study will be explained by phone. No verbal information will be given during this phone call on medical issues.