The efficiency of general practitioners and cytology screening programs in the Netherlands in diagnosing neoplasia by cervical cytology was investigated. For all age groups of women living in rural or urban areas, the general practitioners were almost twice as successful in detecting cases of cervical neoplasia. No reason could be found why the general practitioners were relatively more successful. The important role of the general practitioner and his or her ability to encourage the high-risk group of women to have early and regular smears is stressed.