Evidence map›Paper›PMID 37803335›Full record

ArticleBMC health services research2023

The early impacts of primary HPV cervical screening implementation in Australia on the pathology sector: a qualitative study.

Claire Bavor, Julia Ml Brotherton, Megan A Smith, Khic-Houy Prang, Tracey McDermott, Nicole M Rankin, Claire M Zammit, Chloe J Jennett, Farhana Sultana, Dorothy A Machalek and 2 more

Abstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in BMC health services research, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Article
  3. Exploring the role of the oncology nurse in cervical cancer screening programs during times of transition.Canadian oncology nursing journal = Revue canadienne de nursing oncologique · 2025
    Article
  4. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Claire BavorCentre for Health Policy, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia. c.bavor@unimelb.edu.au.
Julia Ml BrothertonCentre for Health Policy, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia.
Megan A SmithThe Daffodil Centre, the University of Sydney, a joint venture with Cancer Council NSW and the University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2011, Australia.
Khic-Houy PrangCentre for Health Policy, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia.
Tracey McDermottFormerly employed by the Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer, Carlton, VIC, 3053, Australia.
Nicole M RankinCentre for Health Policy, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia.
Claire M ZammitCentre for Health Policy, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia.
Chloe J JennettThe Daffodil Centre, the University of Sydney, a joint venture with Cancer Council NSW and the University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2011, Australia.
Farhana SultanaNational Cancer Screening Register, Telstra Health, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia.
Dorothy A Machalek *The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
Claire E Nightingale *Centre for Health Policy, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia.
STORIES team

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe transition of Australia's National Cervical Screening Program from cytology to a molecular test for human papillomavirus (HPV) (locally referred to as the 'Renewal'), including a longer five-year interval and older age at commencement, significantly impacted all sectors of program delivery. The Renewal had major implications for the roles and requirements of pathology laboratories providing services for the Program. This study aimed to understand the early impacts of the Renewal and its implementation on the pathology sector.

methodsSemi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with key stakeholders (N = 49) involved in the STakeholder Opinions of Renewal Implementation and Experiences Study (STORIES), 11-20 months after the program transition. A subset of interviews (N = 24) that discussed the pathology sector were analysed using inductive thematic analysis.

resultsFour overarching themes were identified: implementation enablers, challenges, missed opportunities, and possible improvements. Participants believed that the decision to transition to primary HPV screening was highly acceptable and evidence-based, but faced challenges due to impacts on laboratory infrastructure, resources, staffing, and finances. These challenges were compounded by unfamiliarity with new information technology (IT) systems and the new National Cancer Screening Register ('Register') not being fully functional by the date of the program transition. The limited availability of self-collection and lack of standardised fields in pathology forms were identified as missed opportunities to improve equity in the Program. To improve implementation processes, participants suggested increased pathology sector involvement in planning was needed, along with more timely and transparent communication from the Government, and clearer clinical management guidelines.

conclusionThe transition to primary HPV screening had a significant and multifaceted impact on the Australian pathology sector reflecting the magnitude and complexity of the Renewal. Strategies to support the pathology sector through effective change management, clear, timely, and transparent communication, as well as adequate funding sources will be critical for other countries planning to transition cervical screening programs.

Indexed as

Papillomavirus InfectionsUterine Cervical NeoplasmsAustraliaEarly Detection of CancerFemaleHumansMass ScreeningCervical cancerCervical screeningChange managementHPVImplementationPathologyQualitativeSelf-collectionSelf-sampling

Identifiers

PMID37803335
PMCPMC10559573

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.