[Mass screening against cervical cancer--what are the viewpoints of female general practitioners?].

Female general practitioners play a central role in the national programme for organized cervical mass screening. The article presents results from a study among Norwegian female general practitioners (n = 720) on their view of the benefit of the screening programme and about the recommendations they give their patients regarding routine Pap-smear. The response rate was 95%. 93% found that the national programme was of great or some benefit. 70% gave recommendations in accordance with the programme. Only 14 physicians recommended longer intervals for routine Pap-smears than those recommended in the programme. However, a considerable proportion reported that Pap-smears are taken more often than recommended by the programme, usually among young women who are considered to be at risk, or who express a wish to have a smear taken. We identify possible misunderstandings and misleading expectations which should be approached by means of strategies for quality assurance of the national programme.