College Research Associates as screeners for women's health issues in an urban, community, teaching hospital emergency department
Author: Sibley H, Bradley K, Werdmann M
Abstract presented at the Connecticut College of Emergency Physicians annual meeting, 2000
Objective: To determine if College Research Associates (RAS) could screen adult female ED patients for completion of annual cervical and breast cancer exams and for the risk of domestic violence (DV). Methods
Methods: Design Prospective, observational. Setting Urban, community, teaching hospital. Participants Volunteer, college RAs received training on screening using a formatted script that took about 90 sec. to administer. Interventions When not enrolling patients in other studies, RAs screened a convenience sample of non-acute, adult women ED patients. If patients said that it was > one year since their last PAP smear or clinical breast examination (CBE), they were encouraged to accomplish this as soon as possible. A follow-up call was made at one month to see if the missed tests had been accomplished. If the patient answered (+) to any of the 3 Feldhaus questions on domestic violence, this information was conveyed to the EP and appropriate referral was arranged. All patients received information on cervical and breast cancer and INFOLINE cards.
Results: 13 RAs served a weekly 4-hour shift in the ED for 10 weeks. 441 women were approached for screening. 353 (80%) were screened; 62 (14%) refused screening, 25 (7%) of those agreeing could not be screened. 166 (47%) had their last PAP smear >12 months. 147 (42%) had their last CBE > 12 months ago. 196 (56%) needed at least one of these tests done. On follow-up call, 78 (40%) could be contacted. 48 (62%) of these contacted women said they had their missing tests accomplished or scheduled. 37 (10.5%) of the women answered "yes" to at least one of the Feldhaus questions for DV. 8 (22%) had a social work consult accomplished.
Conclusion: RAs can successfully screen for primary health care issues in the ED. This screening identifies important health needs of women attending the ED.
