Cervical screening in Canada, 2023-24
Challenges in population outreach and engagement
Jurisdictions are experiencing various challenges in population outreach and engagement. Many jurisdictions noted human resource and capacity constraints as an ongoing challenge, including healthcare provider shortages, staff turnover, small teams, and limited funding capacity, as well as competing needs and priorities of both program staff and the community. Additional challenges include limits in internal software systems and external resources to facilitate accessibility and translation of material. Finally, challenges in accurately identifying equity-denied groups, along with lack of awareness, limited access, and limited participation in screening programs among equity-denied populations and communities presents a challenge in population engagement.
Challenges in population outreach and engagement
Alberta
The ability to accurately identify different groups using available data, but they are working to be more precise.
The healthcare provider shortage makes it challenging to conduct health services for those interested in screening.
Saskatchewan
Limited human resources/funding capacity to plan and operate outreach and engagement at an impactful level. COVID-19 significantly impacted outreach and engagement delivery within Saskatchewan. Significant human and operational resources have been dedicated to the launch of new cervical guidelines planned for release in 2023.
Manitoba
Limited human resources within the screening programs.
Ontario
Currently, the Ontario Cervical Screening Program (OCSP) sends out cervical screening correspondence letters to eligible people identified as female. While the OCSP is reliant on sex designation to identify people eligible to receive cervical screening invitation letters, the program has plans underway to make future improvements to our correspondence processes that will enable cervical screening result letters and recall letters (sent to people who are due to re-screen) to be sent to people who have completed a cervical screening test in the program. This change will be rolled out in the OCSP when human papillomavirus (HPV) testing is launched in the program.
New Brunswick
Access to primary healthcare provider and/or clinics that offer cervical cancer screening (Pap tests).
Human resource constraints in the healthcare system.
Nova Scotia
Very small program staff that does not represent the many diverse populations served.
The provincial health authority has limited resources for engagement work.
Prince Edward Island
Limited levels of awareness of PEI cancer screening programs in equity-deserving populations or communities, with an overall lack of understanding and limited engagement with the PEI healthcare system in general.
For those with limited connections to the healthcare system in First Nations, Inuit and/or Métis communities, awareness and understanding is likely quite low. Supporting and maintaining the reliance on Indigenous organizations and health community services to provide accurate, timely information in the scope of cancer screening to community members.
For those with language barriers, text-based and printed awareness materials help to make materials more relatable.
Limited materials (website) are electronically available to enhance engagement by using translation apps or read-aloud apps.
Limited use of social media and virtual platforms to engage (e.g., short videos).
Newfoundland and Labrador
Population outreach is always challenged by competing priorities within communities and the healthcare system. Additionally, programs have limited resources for wide-scale promotion through mainstream and paid promotion. Outreach and awareness are challenged by those who do not have a PCP, which limits program participation.