Screening: Evidence and Practice

Screening programs offer testing for healthy populations to identify individuals at risk of medical conditions. In the 1960s, concerns were raised about the potential harm of routine screening tests. It took 50 years to achieve widespread recognition of evidence-based and quality-assured program delivery. This book provides a practical and comprehensive guide to all aspects of screening, with updates and new case study material. It covers concepts, methods, evidence, policy-making, and ethical dilemmas, and is relevant across the globe.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 13 June 2019
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Screening programs are comprehensive initiatives designed to offer testing to populations or groups of individuals who appear to be in good health, with the primary objective of identifying those who may be at future risk of developing a specific medical condition or disease. These programs aim to intervene early, reducing the risk of potential complications.

For several decades, screening was widely practiced without much controversy or evidence-based support. However, in the 1960s, significant concerns were raised about the effectiveness and safety of many screening procedures. It was recognized that the benefits and harms of screening needed to be thoroughly evaluated through high-quality trials, and that these benefits should be carefully weighed against any potential negative side effects.

One major concern was the potential for harm to occur when individuals without any health problems underwent dangerous and unnecessary investigations and treatments as a result of routine screening tests. This led to controversy and calls for greater scrutiny of screening practices. It took approximately 50 years for widespread recognition to emerge that evidence-based and quality-assured program delivery was essential, coupled with providing balanced and informed information to enable individuals to make informed choices about participating in screening programs.

Unfortunately, there has been a growing trend toward commercially motivated provision of poor-quality and non-evidence-based screening tests. This raises concerns about the potential for misinformation and misdiagnosis, as well as the waste of healthcare resources. Screening remains a highly contested topic, with relevance in all health systems, including for the general public and the media.

This book aims to provide a practical and comprehensive guide to all aspects of screening. It covers concepts, methods, and evidence related to screening, tracing the history of screening back to 1861. The second section of the book is a practical guide to sound policy-making and high-quality program implementation. It covers topics such as developing screening guidelines, selecting appropriate screening tests, implementing screening programs, and evaluating their effectiveness.

By providing a comprehensive and up-to-date resource, this book aims to assist healthcare professionals, policymakers, and individuals interested in understanding and implementing screening programs. It is a valuable tool for those working in the field of public health, primary care, and preventive medicine.

Weight: 464g
Dimension: 156 x 231 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198805984
Edition number: 2 Revised edition