The psychological costs of inadequate cervical smear test results: three-month follow-up

Abstract

We have previously shown that upon receipt of inadequate cervical smear test results, women have elevated levels of state anxiety and concern about their test results, similar to those of women receiving abnormal smear test results. The current paper reports data on the psychological impact three months after receiving an inadequate smear test result. Two groups of women who initially received a normal test result (n=184) or either a first or non-consecutive inadequate smear test result (n=140) responded. Women with initially received inadequate smear test results no longer had higher state anxiety than women who received normal test results. However, women who initially received inadequate smear test results were still more concerned about their test results and less satisfied with the information they had received about these initial test results, even after receiving normal results from repeat cervical smear tests. Concern was strongly predicted by dissatisfaction with information provided about inadequate smear test results. These results underscore the need to improve communication about inadequate cervical smear test results.