Screening

Estie VermeulenScreening

DefinitionScreening is the organized attempt to detect, among apparently healthy people in the community, disorders or risk factors of which they are unaware, with the intention to treat or do something about it.It is about being proactive rather than reactive.

Criteria for instituting a screening programmeDiagnoses serious, high prevalenceDiagnostic test sensitive, specific, simple and inexpensive, safe and acceptable, safeFacility effective, acceptable and safeTreatment should be available

Validity of a screening testSensitivity how good is the test at finding people with a diseaseSpecifity how good is the test at excluding people without the disease

The screening processNeeds assessmentSet objectives and indicatorsPlanning and preparation toolsScreening processInterpretation of screening resultsAction intervention strategiesManage and evaluateIntervention strategyAn in-depth assessment with follow up treatmentA home programme/work visitAppropriate referral EducationSupport groupsEthical guidelinesPermission/consentPrivacy and dignityScreening with no intention to assist should a problem be foundFailure to screen once the permission is grantedScreening if it is unsafeDiscriminationFailure to inform results of screeningFailure to solve any additional problems that arose which were not specifically related to the screening processFailure to interveneFailure to follow up