Nurse colposcopy: a scoping review

Background: – Colposcopy has been provided by nurses internationally since the 1970s. A summary of current evidence regarding the outcomes of nurse-led colposcopy has not been published. Objective: – The aim is to examine existing literature on outcomes of nurse-led colposcopy internationally and identify benefits and limitations for patients and organizations. Methods: – CINHAL, PubMed, and Scopus were searched for literature using keywords. Screening was conducted according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, and relevant studies were included in the review. Results: – Eight studies were eligible for inclusion in the review. Half of the included studies (n = 4) were conducted in the United States, while the remaining 4 were undertaken in Bangladesh, Ghana, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Three key topics were identified as benefits of nurse-provided colposcopy, comparison with medical officer–provided colposcopy, and cost-effectiveness and organizational impact. In addition, this review mapped the current levels of education required for nurses to perform colposcopy in each country represented in the included studies. Conclusions: – The review shows that nurses provide colposcopy services in a wide range of settings internationally and to a similar standard to medical officers. Nurse-led colposcopy is not well defined in many of the included studies, and identified gaps in research suggest that further research is needed. Implications for Oncology Nursing Practice: – Underserved communities worldwide suffer the burden of gynecological cancers in greater numbers than those in more prosperous communities. This review calls attention to the benefits for patients attending colposcopy provided by nurses and proposes the potential for workforce innovation in resource-poor settings.