THE ASSESSMENT OF THE PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF AN ABNORMAL CERVICAL SMEAR RESULT AND SUBSEQUENT MEDICAL PROCEDURES

A questionnaire developed to assess feelings and cognitions relating to an abnormal cervical smear result and to the subsequent medical procedures (colposcopy examination and outpatient laser treatment) was administered to 80 patients who were divided into four categories: pre-colposcopy (n = 25), post-Colposcopy (n = 25), pre-laser (n = 15) and post-laser (n = 15). Some degree of distress related to an abnormal smear result was reported by 97% of patients. Cognitions associated with distress were related to: causes of the condition; outcome of treatment; perceived severity of the condition; and consequences of the condition. Furthermore, the medical procedures were found to bc additional sources of distress. The Abnormal Smears Questionnaire may be a useful standardized tool both for assessing the degree of distress and for evaluating the effect of information provision and counseling aimed at reducing distress.