BMJ 1999;318:1165 ( 1 May )

News

Computer system boosts accuracy of cervical testing

Zosia Kmietowicz , London
The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

A computer assisted system for screening cervical smears could be in place in the United Kingdom by the end of year, after a large trial showed that it could provide a more accurate and speedier service than conventional screening methods (Lancet 1999;253:1382-5).

The study found that the interactive automated system, known as PAPNET, was at least as accurate as the conventional method of screening, in which slides are examined microscopically by a technician, for the primary screening of cervical smears. Nearly 22000 cervical smears from five centres in the United Kingdom were analysed using the two methods, and the results showed that there was agreement between the two methods for about 90%of all smears examined. However, computer assisted screening was significantly better than manual screening at identifying any abnormalities (specificity of 77%v 42%).

The authors of the study suggested that the introduction of computer assisted screening programmes could translate into real . . . [Full text of this article]
Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Complore Complore   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us   Add to Digg Digg   Add to Reddit Reddit   Add to StumbleUpon StumbleUpon   Add to Technorati Technorati    What's this?

Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

Life after PAPNET
Claire Geary
bmj.com, 30 Apr 1999 [Full text]
Plans have been made: were are they...?
Adrian Midgley
bmj.com, 3 May 1999 [Full text]
Papnet and the NHS cervical screening programmes
David A Agbamu
bmj.com, 5 May 1999 [Full text]
Access jobs at BMJ Careers
Whats new online at Student BMJ