The impact of referral to a primary physician on cervical cancer screening

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to determine whether referral to a primary physician led to an increase in screening for cervical cancer among women enrolled. in Delaware Medicaid. Methods: Medicaid claims data were used to compare annual Papanicolaou (Pap) test rates for women referred to a primary care physician or obstetrician (n=365) with rates for age-matched. comparison women who were not referred (n=1799). Results. Thirty-eight percent of referred women and 27% of comparison women underwent Pap tests (adjusted odds ratio=1.71; 95% confidence interval=1.33; 2.20). Conclusions. Referral to a primary had a positive impact on cervical cancer screening among the study participants.