Education and training of health visitors to undertake cervical screening

Abstract

In Hungary, a nation-wide “call-and-recall” system of organised cervical screening has been in operation since 2003. Recently, in order to increase participation rates in those areas where there is little access to gynaecological services, smear-taking for cytology and follow-up of screened women has been added to the job description of health visitors (health professionals, equivalent to public health nurses). Establishing education and training facilities to provide them with the necessary knowledge and skill is of utmost importance.