ASPO Abstracts
Examining the impact of the COVID pandemic on cervical cancer screening practices among clinicians practicing in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)
Category: Behavioral Science & Health Communication
Conference Year: 2023
Abstract Body:
PURPOSE: To understand clinician perceptions of cervical cancer screening during the COVID pandemic and the impact of pandemic staffing changes on screening and abnormal results follow-up in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC). METHODS: Clinicians (n=148) practicing in FQHCs in the US completed a survey assessing current/2021 screening practices vs pre-pandemic (i.e., conducting the same amount/more screening vs. conducting less screening), the impact of COVID-related staffing changes on screening, ability to track abnormal patient results and follow-up (i.e., yes/no), and clinician/practice characteristics. We used descriptive statistics to assess clinician characteristics and outcome variables. Using backwards selection and criterion p<.10, separate exact binary logistic regression models examined the association of clinician characteristics (race/ethnicity, age, gender, region, clinician type) with perceived 2021 screening practices and impact of COVID-related staffing changes on screening and follow-up. RESULTS: Over half of clinicians (56%) were advanced practice professionals (PAs, CNMs, and NPs), 36% were MD/DOs representing 'other' specialties such as family medicine (FM), internal medicine (IM), and pediatric/adolescent medicine specialties, and 8% were MD/DO OB/GYNs. Compared to MD/DO OB/GYNs, those in other MD/DO specialties were less likely to report conducting the same or more screening now/2021 (OR=.15, 95% CI: .003-1.17, p=.083), and were more likely to report that COVID-related staffing changes impacted screening and the ability to follow-up with their patients (OR=5.02, CI: 1.02-34.26, p=.047). CONCLUSIONS: Clinician specialty may play a role in screening practices and patient care. FM, IM, and peds/adolescent medicine MD/DOs appear to be conducting less screening currently/in 2021 and have experienced greater impacts from COVID related to screening and follow-up. FQHCs care for underserved patients who are at a high risk of developing cervical cancer. Given that clinicians representing various specialties are regularly caring for high-risk patients, it is important to understand differences in screening practices and behaviors so quality improvement initiatives can be developed to improve patient care.
Keywords: cervical cancer screening, COVID-19 pandemic, quality of care