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Malay Gynaecological Programs
The RCPAQAP gynaecological programs include Conventional, Liquid-based ThinPrep and Liquid-based SurePath.
A Survey Report is available in myQAP in the Reports section within two days of submission. All myQAP contacts will be notified via email when the report has been released. This report contains a set of coordinates for conventional slides when applicable. The coordinates, when used with the Cell Finder provided, allow easy location of diagnostic features. Laboratories are therefore able to review their performance prior to returning the slide sets. The Cell Finder is available in the myQAP portal survey instructions under ‘Additional Resources’.
The expected response is the target diagnosis as defined by the Cytopathology Advisory Committee. The committee has agreed that there may be a range of concordant responses for each slide.
Response classifications are as follows:
| Concordant | The diagnosis is essentially identical to the target diagnosis |
| Minor discordance | The diagnosis has one or more minor differences from the target |
| Discordant | The diagnosis is substantially different from the target diagnosis |
| No participation |
No result submitted |
A table outlining how responses are categorised is available in the myQAP portal survey instructions under ‘Additional resources’. This table is reviewed annually by the RCPAQAP Cytopathology Advisory committee.
The report reviewing and management system in myQAP can be used to document appropriate follow-up if required. If a participant records a minor discordance or discordant response classification this will be noted in the Survey Report for review. All actions taken to address the potential source of error should be documented in the myQAP portal management system or the generic Action Sheet provided in the myQAP portal survey instructions under ‘Additional Resources’ and be made available for accreditation purposes.
Australian participants enrolled in the Liquid-based ThinPrep and Liquid-based SurePath programs will receive an additional assessment based on the Cervical Screening Result (CSR)/Summary line submitted.
Assessment classifications are as follows:
| Concordant | An exact match with the expected CSR/Summary line |
| Discordant | Not an exact match with the expected CSR/Summary line |
| No participation |
No result submitted |
Similarly, these non-conformances should be reviewed and action documented using either the myQAP report reviewing and management system or the generic action sheet provided in the myQAP portal survey instructions under ‘Additional resources’.
A Yearly Report is issued at the end of the year comprising a peer analysis, photomicrographs and commentary.
Non-Gynaecological Programs
The RCPAQAP non-gynaecological programs include General, Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) and an anatomical site-specific Specialty Program.
A Preliminary Report comprising participant submitted preferred diagnosis and preliminary target diagnosis for each case is available within two days after the survey close date. Following analysis of all responses (6-8 weeks after survey closing date), participants are provided with a Survey Report comprising assessment results and case performance analysis, photomicrographs and discussion.
Preliminary and Survey Reports are available in myQAP in the Reports section. All myQAP contacts will be notified via email when reports have been released.
The expected response is the target diagnosis as defined by the Cytopathology Advisory Committee. There may be a range of concordant responses for each slide. Assessments are provided and are assigned according to the preferred diagnosis for each case against the target diagnosis as follows:
| Concordant | The preferred diagnosis is essentially identical to the target diagnosis |
| Minor discordance | The preferred diagnosis has one or more minor differences from the target |
| Differential diagnosis | The diagnosis includes the target diagnosis as part of a list of potential diagnoses |
| Discordant |
The preferred diagnosis is substantially different from the target diagnosis |
| No participation |
No result submitted |
| Unable to be assessed | The submission was unable to be interpreted |
In the event of a ≥20% discordance rate, the case is reviewed by members of the Advisory Committee. The outcome of this review is documented in the Survey Report.
Technical Program
Criteria for assessment may vary depending on the type of exercise or stain and these are included in the survey instructions.
Four members of the Cytopathology Advisory Committee will independently score each slide out of 5. Where there is a discrepancy of ≥2 marks between the assessors, the submitted slide is reviewed. The assessor marks are then reported as an average. Following analysis of all submissions (8-10 weeks after survey closing date), participants are provided with a Survey Report comprising assessment results and case peer analysis, photomicrographs and discussion.
Assessment Classification Marks
| Satisfactory | A mark equal to or greater than 3.0 |
| Borderline | A mark greater than or equal to 2.5 and less than 3.0 |
| Unsatisfactory | A mark of less than 2.5 |
| No participation | No result submitted |
| Unable to be assessed | The participant indicated that the exercise was not relevant, OR the submission was unable to be assessed |