Women's health · Explanation & counselling

Explaining a cervical screening result showing HPV 16 with low-grade changes - GP

MediumYear 5 · Curtin style · 10 min + 2 min reading · 3 tasks

2 min reading · 10 min station · reminders at 2 min

Station - Instructions for candidate

You are a junior doctor working in a general practice in Perth.

Achol Akol, a 34-year-old retail assistant, had a cervical screening test at the practice last week - her first in eight years - and has been asked to come back to discuss the result, which is printed below. She has been told by the receptionist only that the doctor wants to see her.

Cervical screening test (clinician-collected, 7 days ago)

Cervical screening test (clinician-collected, 7 days ago)
ItemValueReference range
Oncogenic HPVDetected - HPV 16Not detected
Reflex liquid-based cytologyLow-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL)Negative
RecommendationRefer for colposcopy (HPV 16/18 detected)-

Sample adequate. Previous screening: Pap test 8 years ago, normal.

Your tasks are to:

  1. Take a focused history.
  2. Explain the result and what it means to Ms Akol.
  3. Explain what happens next.
  • You do NOT need to examine the patient.
  • You do not need to complete the referral form in this station.

This is a 10-minute station, with 2 minutes of reading time.