Screening during routine health assessment.
Medical charts of 189 patients receiving routine health examination were reviewed. Of the 15 evaluative procedures included, two (the physical examination and stool for occult blood) were performed by physicians; the remaining 13 were delegated to paramedical personnel and/or outside facilities. A total of 330 of 1,497 (22 percent) were found to be abnormal. Of abnormalities only 144 (44 percent) received follow-up as determined by chart audit. Physician-performed tests yielded 62 of 330 abnormal results. The rate of follow-up for physician-detected abnormalities was 58.1 percent compared to 40 percent for abnormalities found by other providers. To improve follow-up rate it is suggested that only those procedures be performed in which early detection significantly alters morbidity and/or mortality and that a structured definition of follow-up role be established or paramedical personnel.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D003710:Demography; D003933:Diagnosis; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D010808:Physical Examination; D012189:Retrospective Studies