The Benefits and Disbenefits of Health Screening and the Contribution of Psychology in Health Screening.
Health screening, according to Durojaiye, (2009), is a systematic application of a test or inquiry to identify individuals at risk of a specific health problem. This enables further investigation or direct preventive action, among individuals who have not sought medical attention on account of their symptoms of that problem. The main aim of screening program therefore is to detect disease or risk factors among the general population, in order to carry out preventive, or therapeutic intervention because the highest benefit one can derive from a specific treatment is when the disease is less advanced (Wardle & Pope, 1992). Screening is different to diagnosis as it is performed on people without symptoms; it does not provide a diagnosis but rather identifies individuals at increased risk for follow-up diagnostic testing (Trevena2009).
There are a number of benefits expected from health screening and much research has shown the benefits that health screening provides to the health sector. However, in recent years research is emerging with the agenda of opportunity cost of health screening. As result many scholars have indicated that there is a significant number of disadvantages associated with heath screening. This essay explores the benefits and dis-benefits of health screening, and highlights the contribution of psychology to health screening.
Wardle & Pope (1992) claimed that evaluating the benefits of health screening can be very difficult. This is primarily due to the fact that premature death from chronic diseases, fore example breast and cervical cancer, is comparatively rare and con...
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...ures are applied when they are most effective. Most of the disadvantages of health screening lie on the psychological aspect of the individual and the anxiety that it creates. The other disadvantages are the misconception it creates for individuals especially those with negative result and the alteration of health behavior that people develop because of screening. Most researchers agree that the screening process should be implemented only if the benefits out weigh the dis benefits. Research shows that, psychology plays an enormous role in reducing the distresses created by health screening. The major psychological methods of dealing with the stresses due to health screening are assumed to be coping strategies that involves teaching simple strategies to bring about emotional regulation and cognitive behavioral methods that involve changing irrational beliefs.
I currently work at Insight Medical Imaging as a mammographer. It goes without saying that screening and early detection has
Baxter, N. (2001). Preventive health care, 2001 update: Should women be routinely taught breast self-examination to screen for breast cancer? CMAJ, 164(13), 1837-1846.
In the past few decades, clinical treatment has moved on from biomedical approach to the biopsychosocial approach. Scientists now believe that health of an individual is not merely due to physiological conditions but may also depend on psychological and socio-cultural perspectives(Engel, 1977). The term health psychology was developed by the American Psychological Association to describe health and wellness issues that arise from psychological problems. Health psychology stems from Systems theory, which says that human events such as injury and illness exist within several interconnected systems, such as our peer relationships, childhood experiences, personality and other factors (Schwartz, 1982).
Genetic Screening is a medical test that examines ones DNA. It can find mutations in chromosomes, genes, and proteins. These tests can confirm or refute a suspected genetic condition that could become a serious problem for one in the future. They can also help figure out a persons probability of getting certain diseases or sicknesses like cancer or diabetes. ( What is Genetic Testing?, para 1) There is also carrier testing which can be used to see what diseases couples may carry before having children. (What are the benefits of genetic testing? Para 1)
The sample included 539 participants belonging to community-based organizations and Black churches. The criteria an individual had to meet to partake in this experiment included; African American that was 50 years of age or older, a resident within the Fayetteville/Cumberland county, willing to participate in both the faith/community-based educational program and the telephone follow-up interview to discuss their screening, and able to provide both verbal and written consent. Ultimately, the participants were assigned into two groups, an immediate intervention group or a delayed control group. While the control group did not receive the educational program initially, they were invited to receive it three months later. The participants were asked to fill out pre-test questionnaires in order to obtain personal and medical demographic information, as well as to evaluate their knowledge about colorectal cancer, whether or not they had screening in the past, and cancer fatalism attitudes. This same test was given to participants after the experiment as well.
When it comes to genetic diseases and conditions, testing can be very helpful and serve a good purpose. People with diseases that are inheritable to their children are encouraged to be tested. For example, in the article about Jewish testing, it says
Within the past thirty years, researchers have found strong evidence linking genes and disease. The development of predictive genetic tests followed shortly after the isolation of certain candidate genes. Although predictive genetic screening is only available for a handful of diseases, its effects and ramifications have become hotly debated issues in a wide range of areas, from government to religion. The debate began in the 1993 when researchers isolated the BRCA1 gene, which is associated with increased risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. The discovery of this gene led to excitement and speculation of developing a predictive genetic test to identify those women at risk for these cancers. In this paper, I will first describe the biology of genetic testing, and then discuss the pros and cons of predictive genetic testing.
...nts of Health and the Prevention of Health Inequities. Retrieved 2014, from Australian Medical Association: https://ama.com.au/position-statement/social-determinants-health-and-prevention-health-inequities-2007
Clinical psychology is just one of the many subfields that psychology has to offer. Those who choose to enter clinical psychology aim to help people with addiction, emotional stress, mental illness, or any other type of mental problems. Knowing what a clinical psychologist does in their practice is important in understanding their profession. A clinical psychologist's education is the most prominent part of their career; without it, they cannot be considered a psychologist. The process and requirements of employment for psychologists are scattered, varying from state to state, as well as their salary and where they may be employed. The future and growth of clinical psychology can only be determined by the success of this career today. My purpose for this paper is to research the education, the process and requirements of employment, plus the salary and places for employment for psychologists.
To limit the need for recall itself it would be more desirable to depend on scientific data, as is the most obvious choice. However, research does not provide us with this luxury. Thus, one method to restrict or rule out recall bias is the use of actual exposure status verified through unbiased records (RAPHAEL, 1987). Although this method is most limited as it depends on the unbiased records made available in studies. The initial formatting of questionnaires is another consideration to insure research accuracy and validity scale. A popular form is the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory used in studies eliciting self-report responses (RAPHAEL, 1987). The MMPI has demonstrated successful outcomes and limited recall bias with an analytical approach to cross sectional studies. As assertive measurements to evaluate recall bias are in place, ...
Genetic testing, also known as screening, is a rapidly advancing new scientific field that can potentially revolutionize not only the world of medicine, but many aspects of our lives. Genetic screening is the sequencing of human DNA in order to discover genetic differences, anomalies, or mutations that may prove pathological. As genetic screening becomes more advanced and easily accessible, it presents society with difficult questions that must be asked about the boundaries of science and to what degree we are allowed to tamper with the human genome. To better understand the potential impact of genetic screening on our society, we must examine the potential benefits in comparison to the possible negative impact it may cause. With this knowledge in hand, we can examine what the future holds for this field of study and the best possible direction to take.
Obtaining a thorough health history is an important piece of a patient’s assessment. Failure to obtain a complete health history results in a lack of information that can negatively impact the patient. Interviewing skills develop through experience and practice. A complete health assessment involves several features and is a systematic process that involves respect, professionalism, and communication skills.
Messer, D.J & Meldrum, C (1995). Psychology For Nurses and Health Care Professionals : Prentice Hall
Although medical checkups remain vital to the general health status of a person, the medical world is divided over the issue. Some school of thought advises that adults should submit to a yearly medical checkup. Others take the view that regular medical check-up is not critical with no inherent family or genetic medical conditions in one’s family. A number of insurance companies practice preventive care
The nursing profession is wide with many specified disciplines, which is why there is a necessity for frameworks to be implemented. These frameworks govern various procedures including: health assessments, effective communication, nurse/patient interactions, education and health promotion, clinical reasoning and reflective strategies. These procedures are vital to the function of a health service and must be moderated to ensure treatment is being delivered effectively.