National institutions should improve the information made available to patients about cervical smears.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE\nTo assess the quality of the content of leaflets tools and websites of national institutions in United Kingdom and France informing patients about cervical smears.\n\n\nMETHODS\nWe collected and analyzed the data and information on these two websites and leaflets made for patients. We screened those tools with the UP TO DATE SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE IPDAS grid.\n\n\nRESULTS\nNone of the tools specify the level of evidence of the studies on which cervix cancer screening is based. The risk of complication due to cancer is poor. The effectiveness of screening in absolute value is not available. The risks and side-effects due to cervical smears are specified without the frequency.\n\n\nCONCLUSION\nInformation is truncated and pushes readers towards taking part in screening. This is not in accordance with the quality criteria of shared decision making.\n\n\nPRACTICE IMPLICATIONS\nPatients should take part in the creation of decision making tools, so that the information is the most suited to their representations and understanding. This is why the documents made available by institutions should be based on recognized scientific sources. Responsible of health programs should be independent and separated from those responsible of information tool creation.