Pin It

HPV Patient Education and Counseling

Info_lover | May 3, 2010 |

0 Comments | Rating: 0

The process of patient education and counseling involves a number of stages: patient education, medical assessment, counseling, treatment intervention and subsequent follow-up. The application of such a health focused model has been found to be effective in allowing health professionals to tailor patient education and counseling to suit the various needs of different patients. In addition, by doing so, the HPV patients will appreciate learning about the importance and the health advantages of knowing their HPV status. This article will be discussing the 2 stages of patient education and counselling in greater details.

Educating patients before the assessment

The human papillomavirus (HPV) virus is the primary cause of cervical cancer among women.
The HPV virus can go away without causing any symptoms, resulting in many women not knowing they have it.
The infection rate can be pretty high. It is estimated that 8 out of every 10 women contract HPV at some point in their lives.
HPV virus is typically spread from person to person through sexual contact. Even if you are in a long-term relationship with one person, you may unknowingly still have HPV. The virus can stay hidden in a woman's cervical cells for many years before getting activated or triggering cervical cancer.
A HPV test allows health professionals to determine if a woman is at risk for cervical cancer and if so, the appropriate follow-up method to be used so as to prevent cervical cancer from happening.
Although men can contract HPV, health complications due to HPV are rare as compared to women.
For women patients who are aged 30 and above, it is advisable for them to go for regular HPV tests to receive the best possible protection against developing cervical cancer.
For women patients who are aged 30 and below, routine HPV testing is not recommended.

Counseling patients on the results of the medical tests

Women who do not have HPV. The majority of patients, who have been assessed, will fall under this category. Just simply remind them to return for an annual visit which includes other important and necessary services such as breast exam, blood pressure screening and weight management.
Women who have HPV. Around 20% of the patients will be detected to have HPV. Empathize with this group of women and let them know there is no reason for shame or blame. It is important to inform them of the fact that most women who have HPV do not develop cancerous cells. As a matter of fact, HPV infection usually goes away without causing any further health implications. However to be on the safe side, it is important to request them to repeat the HPV tests every 12 months so that if cervical disease is detected early, it can be treated before cancer develops.

The patient education and counseling impact factor can be huge and such a model will aid HPV patients greatly.