HEALTH SCREENING - A screening instrument is an examination that looks for the obvious signs of illness. When the results of the screening test or examination are positive, then further testing is usually recommended. (Mosby, p. 659)
ASSESSMENT - An examiner's evaluation of a disease or condition based on the patient's report of the symptoms and the examiner's findings. It includes the data obtained through laboratory tests, physical examination and medical history. (Mosby p. 62)
HEALTH SCREENING means just what it says. This quick and dirty process often lets a lot of information fall through the cracks. Just as you might go to the grocery store for a cholesterol screening, no one pretends that the results are highly accurate, and you must be referred for further evaluation if you flunk this simple test.
"The testing of apparently healthy people with the aim of detecting disease at an early, treatable stage. The ideal screening test is reliable with a low rate of false-positive. . . and false negative results." (AMA, p 887)
The focus of screening is PREVENTION THROUGH EARLY EDUCATION. Screening is not diagnostic, but merely a strong hint that the conditions may exist. Further evaluation is required to rule out the potential condition.
ASSESSMENT (including establishing a medical diagnosis) may involve in-depth physical assessment, diagnostic testing, ultrasound, endoscopy, biopsy, etc., but still relies heavily on the person’s medical history in combination with other techniques to arrive at a more reliable outcome.