[The periodic health examination: a useless test?].
A critical analysis of the theoretical concepts applying to mass screening (Frames' criteria) in relation with the "Evidence-Based Medicine" methodology leads to rule out the basic blood test from the periodic health examination. A good questioning with a good clinical examination will select high risk populations for specific health problems for which some oriented tests can be performed with an acceptable positive predictive value.
Roland
M
M
Ecole de Santé Publique ULB (Département de Socio-Epidémiologie, Unité Médecine de Famille et Soins Primaires).
Jamoulle
M
M
D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000592:standards*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000592:standards*; D008487:Medical History Taking; D018579:Patient Selection; D010808:Physical Examination; D015995:Prevalence; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity