Women undergoing colposcopy: their satisfaction with communication, health knowledge and level of anxiety

Abstract

A SURVEY of women undergoing colposcopy investi gated their levels of anxiety, knowledge and satis faction with communication about the procedure. The mean level of state anxiety immediately before the procedure was at least as high as previously reported for women or men undergoing surgery which requires general anaesthetic. Objective levels of understanding about the procedure were signifi cantly less than complete and were subjectively rec ognised as such. The procedure was, without exception, considered important. Fewer than half of the sample were satisfied with the information received about the procedure.