Recommendations for a Communication Strategy to Support Informed Decision‐Making About Self or Clinician Sampling for Cervical Screening in the UK
Qualitative Study
Bibliographic Data
BACKGROUND: Cervical screening for high-risk Human Papillomavirus subtypes is offered to those eligible in the UK via the NHS cervical screening programmes. However, uptake of cervical screening continues to remain below the national target of 80%. Groups less likely to participate include people from low socioeconomic groups, ethnic minority backgrounds, younger/older age and/or LGBTQ group identity. The cervical screening-eligible population could soon, for the first time in the UK, have a choice of mode between clinician taken or self-sampling. AIMS: To understand information and decision-support needs of diverse cervical screening-eligible individuals when presented with a choice of cervical screening mode and develop recommendations for a communication strategy to support informed decision-making. METHODS: Qualitative co-production explored communication preferences and decision-support needs in a diverse sample of cervical screening-eligible individuals using semi-structured interviews with individuals eligible for cervical screening (n = 30) and stakeholders (n = 23). Interviews were transcribed, thematically analysed and mapped to behavioural and decision-making theories to inform a communication strategy for offering choice in cervical screening mode in the UK. RESULTS: Four main themes across both participant groups were identified: misunderstanding of clinician screening, attitudes towards choice, communication launch preferences and decision-support needs. Logic models to inform a communication strategy in preparation for the future launch of choice in cervical screening mode in the UK were developed. IMPLICATIONS: The communication launch strategy can inform interventions to support informed decision-making if HPV self-sampling is incorporated into UK cervical screening programmes. PATIENT AND PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Two public partners were involved in the study from inception to completion. They advised on recruitment, participant facing documents and were involved in analysis
Alternative medicine · Cervical cancer · Cervical screening · Decision aids · Environmental health · Family medicine · Population · Psychological intervention · Qualitative research · Socioeconomic status · Cervical Cancer and HPV Research · Global Cancer Incidence and Screening · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology · Reproductive tract infections research
When Is Honesty the Best Policy? The Effect of Stated Company Intent on Consumer Skepticism
A new framework for developing and evaluating complex interventions
Determinants of routine cervical screening participation in underserved women
The precaution adoption process
Women's perspectives on human papillomavirus self‐sampling in the context of the UK cervical screening programme
Cervical screening and health inequality in England in the 1990s
Using thematic analysis in psychology
Transferability and Generalization in Qualitative Research
Sample Size in Qualitative Interview Studies
Demystification and Actualisation of Data Saturation in Qualitative Research Through Thematic Analysis
| Unique citing works | 3 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 3 |
| Citation span | 2025 - 2026 (2) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 2 |