Lesson Plan for an Individual AMIGAS Session

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Steps

This lesson plan provides the steps to present AMIGAS to one woman. The lesson plan for a group session explains how to present AMIGAS to a group of women.

Training Goals

  • Explain what a Pap test is.
  • Explain what an HPV test is.
  • Discuss the importance of cervical cancer screening.
  • Find out how much the woman already knows about cervical cancer and cervical cancer screening.
  • Discuss concerns the woman has about screening for cervical cancer.
  • Develop an action plan with the woman.
  • Provide information about where and how to get screened for cervical cancer.

Important Points

  • Getting screened for cervical cancer can help women stay healthy.
  • Cervical cancer is easier to treat if it is found early.
  • It is important to get screened for cervical cancer.
  • Women can get screened for cervical cancer in this community.
  • Make a promise to yourself and your family to get screened for cervical cancer.

Steps

Note: Sentences in bold are examples of words you may say.

Step 1: Welcome

Welcome the woman you are meeting with. Make small talk. You might ask her how her family is doing.

Thank you for agreeing to talk with me. I am [name] and I want to talk to you about women’s health and getting screened for cervical cancer.

Step 2: Presentation

Introduce the presentation (previously called the flipchart) and read slides 1 through 15 out loud.

The main things I’d like to talk with you about today are described in our presentation. Some of this information you may already know, but we can skip those slides and jump ahead. We can go as fast or as slow as you like. Let’s look at this together.

Step 3: Message Cards

Use the message cards to discuss the woman’s thoughts about cervical cancer screening.

Now I would like to show you this set of cards. These cards include things that women have told us about cervical cancer screening. I would like you to look at these cards and choose the ones that are true for you. Please choose one of the three cards that shows where you are with cervical cancer screening. Then choose as many cards as you like that show your feelings about cervical cancer screening. Let’s talk about the cards you picked.

If the woman has trouble reading the cards, help her understand them. Be sure she is comfortable with what the cards say before she makes her selection.

Take the message cards the woman has selected and go through each one, starting with the first card. It will tell you her overall feelings about cervical cancer screening and help you to understand her general situation. Acknowledge her thoughts about cervical cancer screening and tell her you’d like to help her make progress.

Then discuss the other cards the woman selected. They show some of the feelings, beliefs, facilitators, and barriers she associates with getting screened for cervical cancer.

Use the words on the back of the message cards to help you discuss the issue and think about solutions. For example—

  • If the woman chooses the message card that says “It is embarrassing” on the front, use the words on the back of the card to help her understand that her feelings are normal and can be overcome.
     
    Many of us feel embarrassed about getting screened for cervical cancer. The test does not take very long. The clinic staff are professionals, and they see women’s bodies every day.
  • If the woman chooses the message card that says “I don’t need to be screened. There is no cancer in my family.” on the front, use the words on the back of the card to help her understand that she needs to be screened for cervical cancer.
     
    Some of us think that we don’t need to be screened if cancer doesn’t run in our family. Most women need to be screened for cervical cancer, even if no one in their family has had cancer.

Step 4: Screening Plan

Make a plan together. Use the first card the woman selected to talk about next steps she could take to get screened for cervical cancer.

Now that we’ve discussed your thoughts about cervical cancer screening, let’s make a plan together for you to move closer to getting screened for cervical cancer.

Use the first card the woman chose to ask her the corresponding question below. Talk with her about the next steps she could take. Use the information you have learned about her to help make a personalized plan.

  • If the woman has not thought about getting screened for cervical cancer—
    How can I help you think about getting a screening test?
  • If the woman is thinking about getting screened for cervical cancer, but is not yet planning to—
    How can I help you make plans to get a screening test?
  • If the woman is planning to get screened for cervical cancer and taking steps toward getting a screening test—
    How can I help you make and keep a screening appointment?

Step 5: Promise Sheet

Give the woman the promise sheet and help her commit to an action plan. With your knowledge of what she needs to move forward, help her commit to specific steps she will take.

So we have just talked about the difficulties you have in getting screened for cervical cancer. And we talked about how you can move beyond those difficulties.

Now I would like you to make a promise to take action. Think for a minute about the specific steps you will take toward getting screened for cervical cancer. Know that you are making a commitment. When you are ready, mark those steps on this page and take this page with you. It will help you remember what you have promised. Think carefully about what you promise to do so that you can keep that promise.

Step 6: Resource List

Give the woman the resource list and point out your contact information. If she is ready to make an appointment, give her an appointment card. If you are unsure if the woman is ready to make an appointment, ask her how she feels.

Do you want to talk now about making a screening appointment?

  • If the woman is not ready to make an appointment yet, talk with her about what she will do next.
     
    I understand that you are not yet ready to make a screening appointment. But it’s good that you have committed to doing some other things. What’s important is that you do something that helps you move closer to getting screened for cervical cancer.
     
    Here is a list of the clinics in your community where you can get screened for cervical cancer. You can use it when you are ready to make an appointment. This list tells where the clinics are, what hours they are open, and how to make an appointment. It also tells you other useful information, like whether the clinic staff speak Spanish. When you make your appointment, let them know if you need need help with child care or transportation.
     
    Here is my contact information: [your contact information]
     
    Would you like to talk with me again another time? When would be a good time for me to talk with you again? Remember that you can contact me if you have questions or concerns, or if you want help getting an appointment in the future.
  • If the woman is ready to make an appointment, help her to plan the clinic visit.
     
    Do you have a clinic that you usually go to? Do you know which clinic you would prefer to go to for cervical cancer screening? Let’s talk about what questions you might want to ask when you make your appointment. When would be a good time for an appointment?
     
    It’s important to make time to get screened for cervical cancer. We can all get screened in this community. You can make an appointment at a time that works for you. I can help you. Here is a list of the clinics in your community where you can get screened for cervical cancer. You can use it when you are ready to make an appointment. It tells where the clinics are, what hours they are open, and how to make an appointment. It also tells you other useful information, like whether the clinic staff speak Spanish. When you make your appointment, let them know if you need help with child care or transportation.
     
    Here is my contact information: [your contact information]. You can contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Do you have any questions right now?
     
    When you make an appointment, you can use this card to write down the day and time you should go. Here on the back of the card is a reminder of some things you can ask the clinic about.

Step 7: Contact Information

Give the woman the contact sheet and ask her to complete the first section with her personal information.

We have talked about how you feel about getting screened for cervical cancer and I would like to have a record of our discussion today. This contact sheet includes some basic information about your screening status and what promises you have made to yourself. I’ll keep this to remind me of your specific situation the next time we speak.

Step 8: Handouts

Give the woman the AMIGAS handout and any other brochures or fact sheets you have.

Here is some information that might help you. The handout gives an overview of the important points we talked about today. The brochures contain information about the cervical cancer and cervical cancer screening. Do you have any questions?

If the woman has questions, answer them for her if you can. If she has questions you can’t answer, offer to find out for her.

Step 9: Evaluation

Close the session by asking her to complete an evaluation form or survey.

Thank you for taking the time to talk to me about this important health issue today. How confident do you feel that you will make and keep an appointment for cervical cancer screening? How did you enjoy our visit today? Do you have any questions about what you need to do next? I’ll check in with you in the next couple of weeks, if that’s OK with you.

When I talk with women about cervical cancer and cervical cancer screening, I want to know how the conversation went. I would be grateful if you would share with me how you feel about the program and today’s session.

Would you please complete this evaluation form for me? It is important that you be honest with your comments so we can improve the program. I will not be offended by anything you say, but instead will be grateful for the feedback. Thank you.

Do you know other women in this community who might like to talk with me about women’s health and cervical cancer screening?

If you have a small gift for the woman, this is a good time to share it.