The impact of referral to a primary physician on cervical cancer screening

Abstract

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to determine whether referral to a primary physician led to an increase in screening for cervical cancer among women enrolled in Delaware Medicaid. Methods. Medicaid claims data were used to compare annual Papanicolaou (Pap) test rates for women referred to a primary care physician or obstetrician (n = 365) with rates for age-matched comparison women who were not referred (n = 1799). Results. Thirty-eight percent of referred women and 27% of comparison women underwent Pap tests (adjusted odds ratio = 1.71; 95% confidence interval = 1.33, 2.20). Conclusions. Referral to a primary physician had a positive impact on cervical cancer screening among the study participants.