Barriers to Adoption of New Technology in Cervical Screening
Author Information
Author(s): Darshana Jhala, Isam Eltoum
Primary Institution: University of Alabama at Birmingham
Hypothesis
The lower cost of conventional compared to LBC Pap testing, patient's lower socio-economic indices, a patient's medical history and provider's subspecialty/training all appear to play a role in the choice of using conventional Pap testing rather than LBC.
Conclusion
The study suggests that various barriers and disparities affect the adoption of new technologies in cervical cancer screening.
Supporting Evidence
- LBC has been shown to improve detection rates of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.
- Conventional Pap smears are still used despite the availability of LBC.
- Patient and provider barriers impact the adoption of new screening technologies.
Takeaway
Some doctors still use the old Pap test instead of the newer liquid-based test because it's cheaper and they are used to it, which can lead to more problems for patients.
Methodology
The study reviews existing literature and data from the University of Alabama Medical Center's cytopathology laboratory.
Potential Biases
Potential biases may arise from the reliance on existing data and the subjective interpretation of barriers.
Limitations
The study does not explore all potential factors affecting the choice of screening methods.
Participant Demographics
Approximately 250 physicians from more than seven health organizations/settings submit Pap tests annually.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p=0.04
Statistical Significance
p<0.01
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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