Patient Acceptance and the Psychological Effects of Women Experiencing Telecolposcopy and

Background: The purpose of the study was to assess patient acceptance and psychological effects in women experiencing telecolposcopy compared with colposcopy. Methods: Convenience samples of 150 and 263 women scheduled for colposcopy or telecolposcopy, respectively, completed questionnaires assessing anxiety (Prime MD), depression [Center for Epidemio-logic Studies/Depressed Mood Scale (CES-D)], health beliefs and concerns, coping style (Miller Behav-ioral Style Score) and examination acceptance and satisfaction. Test scores and subject responses were compared using the t test and Wilcoxon rank sum test. Results: Mean scores representing mild anxiety (1.3 and 1.2, P .7) and mild depression (35.4 and 36.3, P .4) were reported for the telecolposcopy and colposcopy groups, respectively. The telecolpos-copy group indicated significantly greater mean scores for the examination, saving them time and money compared with the colposcopy group. Women in both groups were highly satisfied with their examina-tions and care. Conclusions: In general, women reported very high levels of satisfaction with telecolposcopy and colposcopy. Potential savings of time and money and improved health care were considered of particu-lar value to women examined by telecolposcopy. Telecolposcopy seems to be well accepted by rura