Effect of Video Colposcopy in reducing patient anxiety compared to conventional colposcopy - A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Cervical cancer is one of the most common

malignancies in developing countries. 1

Women experience high level of anxiety at all stages of

evaluation of cervical cancer from pap smear,

colposcopy to treatment. Colposcopy is a standard

procedure in evaluation of cervical dysplasia. Most

women are not aware of the anatomy and the procedure

is associated with additional anxiety as it is for the

diagnosis of a possible cancerous lesion. 2–4 This leads to

higher discomfort, disappointment in own body,

anxiety, doubts regarding reproduction and loss to

follow up. The level of anxiety can be greater than

those measured in women awaiting major surgery. 5 As it

is important to reduce the anxiety level in patients

referred for colposcopy, interventions which can reduce

this anxiety are useful. There are studies which have

tried interventions such as pre-procedure counselling,

music, individual information regarding the procedure,

information brochures.

Another intervention that is being tried is video

colposcopy.

Video colposcopy involves live video

demonstration of the colposcopy procedure to the

patient. The patient gets to view in real time and

understand the procedure when it is performed.Video

colposcopy enables patients to understand the anatomy

and disease condition better, hence may reduce patient anxiety