Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening: A Quality Improvement Project

Background: Breast and cervical cancers continue to have a significant impact on the lives of many women. Cancer screenings are crucial for early detection and treatment; however, the lack of cancer screenings have been associated with many factors related to patient adherence. Communication built on enriching interpersonal relationships between health care professionals and the people they serve may improve patient adherence in overcoming the unique and individualistic barriers to screening tests. Purpose: The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to improve breast and cervical cancer screening rates among women in a rural primary care clinic by implementing an educational intervention that standardized basic knowledge of breast and cervical cancer, USPSTF recommendations, and promoted effective communication through interpersonal relationships. Theoretical Framework / Methods: Hildegard Peplau’s theory of interpersonal relations was used to guide the conceptual framework of this project. The Model for Improvement was the preferred methodology that guided the project initiatives. A 31-item Self-Assessment of the Interpersonal Relationship Scale was used to assess interpersonal communication, and a 10-item test was used to assess knowledge on cancer screening tests before and after the educational session Results / Conclusion: All participants completed project activities, providing data for analysis at pre- and post-intervention periods. The implementation of the educational intervention may have led to an improvement to staff learning, communication, and patient screening rates. Though data results were specific to this clinic and single setting, the decision to inform the project on Peplau’s theory was supported.

Name thesis:degree_name

D.N.P.

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Graduate College

Grantor dc:publisher

The University of Arizona.

Year dc:date.issued

2019

Author dc:creator

• Reyes, Richard I.

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Davis, Mary

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Ruel, Jennifer
• Hakansson, Mikael

• breast cancer screening
• cervical cancer screening
• Doctor of Nursing Practice
• Hildegard Peplau
• interpersonal relationships
• rural primary care

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction, presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10150/636622

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.arizona.edu:10150/636622