Perception and experience of primary care physicians on Pap smear screening for women with intellectual disabilities: a preliminary finding.
Women with ID miss cervical cancer screening, but reminders and confident staff triple follow-through.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Lin et al. (2010) asked primary care doctors in Taiwan about Pap smears for women with intellectual disability.
They used a short survey. Doctors told the team if they offered the test and what helped or blocked them.
What they found
Most doctors agreed these women need regular Pap smears, but many women still miss the test.
Doctors in public clinics with reminder systems and confident staff were far more likely to do the screening.
How this fits with other research
Einfeld et al. (1996) found half of adults with ID in a residence had hidden vision problems. Lin et al. (2010) show the same blind spot for cervical cancer screening. Both studies say the same thing: routine checks are skipped unless a system forces them.
Sharif et al. (2010) surveyed rehab centers and found one in four residents had intestinal parasites. Like Lin et al. (2010), the problem is common and unnoticed. Together these papers prove that adults with ID carry a stack of hidden health risks.
Gerber et al. (2011) linked untreated vision problems to more challenging behaviour. If a woman can’t see well, she may resist the exam chair. Lin et al. (2010) did not test vision, but the papers fit: fix vision first and Pap-smear compliance may rise.
Why it matters
You can copy the winning recipe today: add a simple reminder to your workflow, train staff to speak with confidence, and book the client into a public clinic if private offices stall. One checklist can close a deadly gap for women who cannot speak up for themselves.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
This study aims to establish evidence-based data to explore the perceptions and experience of primary care physicians in the Pap smear screening provision for women with intellectual disabilities (ID), and to analyze the associated factors in the delivery of screening services to women with ID in Taiwan. Data obtained by a cross-sectional survey by a structured, self-administered questionnaire (12 perceptional issues), and were posted to all primary care settings (N=168) which provided Pap smear tests for women with ID in Taichung and I-Lan counties in Taiwan, Republic of China during the period of 2009. The vital primary care physician of each healthcare setting was the main respondent of the questionnaire. Finally, there were 69 valid questionnaires returned, giving a response rate of 41.7%. The main findings showed that 72.5% medical care settings provide Pap smear services and 51.5% have practical experience on conducting the tests for women with ID. Among the respondents, nearly 90% primary care physicians expressed that women with ID need Pap smear test regularly. With regard to the associated factors in the delivery of Pap smear screening services to women with ID. The study found that experienced healthcare settings in Pap smear tests for women with ID were more likely to be in public healthcare settings, felt confident in providing screening tests, having a rapid screening program and having a reminding follow-up system. Those respondents felt necessity in Pap smear test for women with ID were more likely to express it is needed to set up a special screening clinic for this group of women. The present study suggests that women with ID need thoughtful, well-coordinated care from primary care physicians, to increase access to health care providers may be helpful in improving Pap screening tests for this population.
Research in developmental disabilities, 2010 · doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2009.10.012