Midwife-led telemedicine models to improve cervical cancer screening in remote communities: A narrative review

Cervical cancer remains a largely preventable disease; however, women living in remote and underserved regions continue to face significant barriers to screening and early detection. Geographic isolation, shortages of specialized healthcare professionals, limited healthcare infrastructure, socioeconomic constraints, and cultural factors contribute to persistent disparities in access to preventive services.
This narrative review aims to examine the structural and contextual barriers affecting cervical cancer screening in rural and remote communities and to evaluate the potential of midwife-led, telemedicine-supported models in improving screening uptake, follow-up, and continuity of care. A targeted search of peer-reviewed literature published between 2011 and 2025 was conducted using databases including PubMed and Google Scholar.
The findings suggest that midwives serve as trusted frontline healthcare providers who can effectively deliver community-based screening, culturally sensitive education, and patient-centered counseling. Telemedicine technologies—such as remote consultations, telecolposcopy, and digital cervicography—enhance these services by enabling specialist support and reducing geographical barriers. Additionally, HPV self-sampling has emerged as a promising strategy to increase participation among underserved populations.
Evidence from diverse rural and international settings demonstrates high acceptability of these approaches and improved adherence to follow-up recommendations. Integrated models combining midwife-led care with telemedicine represent a feasible and scalable strategy to reduce screening inequalities and strengthen cervical cancer prevention efforts in geographically isolated populations.