Videocolposcopy: Reduced anxiety by visualization

Objective: To evaluate whether patients accept videocolposcopy and whether the technique reduces patient anxiety. Methods: Fifty-six patients referred to a colposcopy clinic for the evaluat ion of cytologic abnormalities were offered the opportunity to watch the co lposcopic examination on a video monitor. The patients completed questionna ires before and after the examination, During the examination clinical find ings were demonstrated and explained. Results: Fifty patients (89 %) accepted the offer of videocolposcopy. Befor e the examination 19 women (38%) thought videocolposcopy an advantage and 2 6 (52%) were skeptical. After the examination all of the positively incline d and 21 (80 %) of the previously skeptical women rated the experience as p ositive. After videocolposcopy significantly fewer women expressed anxiety (p < 0.05). Overall, 84% of patients rated videocolposcopy a positive exper ience. Conclusion: Videocolposcopy is well accepted by patients and is an effectiv e method to reduce anxiety during colposcopy.