Naslov
Opportunistic Screening Carried out in the Family Medicine Settings
(Opportunistic screening carried out in the family medicine settings)

Autori
Katić, Milica

Izvornik
Croatian medical journal (0353-9504) 49 (2008), 1; 110-113

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, komentar, stručni

Ključne riječi
family medicine

Sažetak
For the majority of the population, GPs represent first-line care providers who, owing to their long-term experience with the treated population get familiar with its health care needs. Most of the persons registered at GP’s office seek medical advice at least once in three years, while 70% does so every year. In addition, long-time work with the same population provides the GP an opportunity to gain insight into the results of preventive activities and their beneficial effects on the population. Opportunistic screening represents a term describing the possibility and liability of the GP to use his or her numerous contacts with the patients for exercising prevention. Insofar, opportunistic screening has been proven successful for elevated blood pressure, breast palpation, and Papanicolaou test. The major disadvantage of such screening is that it covers only those patients visiting the GP’s office on their own initiative, putting those who do not do so in danger of being inadvertently left out of the preventive program. However, if a well-designed computer system is used, regular registration of preventive activities can be ensured, as well as information on the patients who have not been screened so far and should be invited in person. The use of indicators qualifying the level of professional conduct, including that targeted at the detection of cardiovascular risk factors, would provide GPs with both professional and financial stimulation for a programmed and efficient detection of various risk factors and chronic conditions. Payment modality and the follow-up of the conduct quality level represent the additional elements, which would allow more frequent utilization of opportunistic screening and increase its impact on population health care

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Javno zdravstvo i zdravstvena zaštita

POVEZANOST RADA