Clinical practice and new technology: prostate-specific antigen (PSA).
In response to a marked increase in the use of an available test, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound (GHC) evaluated the use of prostatic specific antigen (PSA) as a screening test for prostate cancer. A project team reviewed the literature and determined that PSA did not meet GHC's criteria for screening. An implementation team then developed a comprehensive program to educate staff, facilitate practice change, measure outcomes and provide continuing feedback to physicians. These efforts are described and preliminary reports reported.
Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Seattle, WA 98112.
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Stuart
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Handley
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Thompson
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Conger
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Timlin
D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D005246:Feedback; D006279:Health Maintenance Organizations / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D016730:Program Development / Q000379:methods; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D014861:Washington