Publication Date
2025
Document Type
Other
First Advisor
Tanzillo, Tanya
Degree Name
DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice)
Department
School of Nursing
Abstract
Background: Cervical cancer remains a preventable disease when detected early through routine screenings, yet national screening rates continue to fall short, particularly among underserved populations. Increasing engagement in preventive care is critical to reducing morbidity and mortality.
Local Problem: At the project site, cervical cancer screening rates were below national benchmarks at only 58%, with many eligible patients overdue for screening.
Methods: A quality improvement project was used to identify eligible patients through chart reviews. Screening completion rates were monitored before and after implementation to assess impact.
Interventions: The project implemented targeted outreach strategies, including personalized MyChart electronic messages and reminder phone calls, to increase patient engagement and promote timely cervical cancer screening.
Results: A total of 709 patients were identified, of whom 108 (15.2%) were not eligible for outreach. Among the remaining, 380 (53.6%) were messaged via MyChart and 226 (31.9%) were contacted by phone. Of those messaged, 18 (4.7%) made an appointment, while 30 (13.3%) of those called, scheduled an appointment. Overall screening completion increased from 58% to 63.3% by the end of the project period. MyChart messages reached more patients, but phone calls were more effective in converting outreach into completed appointments, particularly among Hispanic patients.
Conclusion: Targeted outreach through MyChart and phone calls modestly improved cervical cancer screening rates within an underserved population. Results suggest that while electronic messaging allows for broad communication, personalized phone calls remain more effective for engagement among patients with language or digital access barriers. Sustaining a dual outreach approach and tailoring communication to patient preferences are essential strategies for promoting equitable preventive care and achieving long-term screening improvements.
Recommended Citation
Begum, Aseiya, "Increasing Cervical Cancer Screening at an Underserved Clinic" (2025). Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects. 12.
https://huskiecommons.lib.niu.edu/nursinghealthstudies-doctornursingpractice/12
