Managing Human Papillomavirus, Part 2: An Expert Interview With Nancy R. Berman, MSN, APRN, BC

October 29, 2008 — Editor’s note: Widespread prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV), as well as increasing recognition of the role of HPV in cervical and other cancers, has led to a public-health strategy of vaccinating girls and women 9 to 26 years old against HPV. Presentations at the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health (NPWH) meeting, held from October 15 to 18 in Seattle, Washington, described how the nurse practitioner is uniquely positioned to counsel patients about the importance of following vaccination recommendations and to ensure follow-through with screening and management.

To learn more about practical management of HPV, Medscape interviewed Nancy R. Berman, MSN, APRN, BC, a nurse practitioner in women’s health and colposcopist with the Millennium Medical Group, PC, in Southfield, Michigan. Ms. Berman, who presented at NPWH, is also a member of the Michigan Cervical Cancer Consortium and the Governor’s Task Force on Cervical Cancer, and Cochair of the Patient Education Committee for the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology.

Part 1 of this interview (below) focuses on current research and best-practice recommendations for vaccination, screening, and management of HPV, as well as how best to use clinical guidelines when screening patients and managing those with abnormal results. Part 2 offers practical suggestions on how to talk to patients about HPV, how to counsel patients (including preteens and their parents) on the benefits and risks of the vaccine, and how to incorporate HPV management into daily practice.

Source:

1. Managing Human Papillomavirus, Part 2: An Expert Interview With Nancy R. Berman, MSN, APRN, BC