Colposcopy quality control for clinical trials: The positive effects from brief, intensive educational intervention

Objective. To determine whether a brief, intensive colposcopy course improves the cognitive skills of colposcopists participating in clinical trials. Materials and methods. Twenty-two colposcopists involved in a multicenter clinical trial attended an intensive colposcopy course designed to improve diagnostic skills. Participants completed a pretest and posttest of 10 case-based studies and the ASCCP Colposcopy Recognition Award (CRA) examination. Pre- and posttest exam and CRA results were compared for each individual and the group. Results. The group mean pre- and posttest total scores were 67% and 73%, respectively. There was a significant improvement in posttest colposcopic impression mean scores compared with the pretest (56% and 44%, respectively). The greatest improvement in colposcopic impression mean scores was for low-grade, high-grade, and cancer cases; 25%, 23%, and 20%, respectively. CRA scores did correlate positively with pretest scores. Conclusion. A brief, intensive colposcopic educational program improved the cognitive skills of the colposcopists.