Nurse practitioner-led colposcopy improves reassurance and continuity

Published in Collegian, the qualitative study Patient-centred colposcopy: A qualitative study of women’s views on a nurse practitioner-led service explored the experiences of women attending a nurse practitioner-led colposcopy clinic at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse. Participants commonly described uncertainty, fear and limited information following referral, with some turning to online information that increased concerns about pain, cancer and fertility.

Once engaged with the nurse practitioner-led service, women reported that clear explanations, empathetic communication, continuity and emotional support helped them feel safer and more in control. The study identified opportunities for better information at referral, nurse-led follow-up and greater use of trauma-informed, person-centred approaches throughout the pathway.

For cancer nurses, the findings reinforce that communication and emotional support are not an add-on to clinical care. Explaining what to expect, recognising anxiety, providing choice and maintaining continuity can meaningfully shape a person’s experience of cancer investigation and care. The research also demonstrates the potential of advanced nursing roles to bridge clinical, informational and psychosocial needs across the cancer pathway.