© 1972 Oxford University Press
research-article |
Impact of a Screening Programme in General Practice: A Randomized Controlled Trial
1 Director, Health Services Evaluation Group, Department of the Regius Professor of Medicine, University of Oxford 9, Keble Road, Oxford, England
2 Area Medical Officer, County of Northumberland England
Requests for reprints may be addressed to Dr. A. E. Benness
Bennett, A. E. (Department of the Regius Professor of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, England), and Fraser, I. G. P. Impact of a screening programme in general practice: a randomized controlled trial. Int J. Epid. 1972,1: 55–60.
Male patients, aged 50–59, were allocated randomly into three groups. Group 1 served as a control group; Group 2 were asked to complete and return a mailed questionnaire and were subsequently invited to attend their general practitioner for further examination of symptoms declared in their answers; Group 3 were asked to complete the questionnaire and were all subsequently invited to undergo a full examination. 95.4 per cent of patients completed questionnaires and 90–2 per cent co-operated fully.
During the study the proportion of patients consulting their doctors in Groups 2 and 3 was significantly increased. However, there were no differences between groups in frequency of ‘new’ consultations or per cent of patients making new consultations. Content and outcome of new consultations did not differ significantly between groups. Data on time involvement in routine health examinations are considered. The total consultation time for Group 3 was increased by 10.5 per cent. The significance of findings is discussed with the need for further information on efficiency of screening procedures and the effectiveness of early diagnosis in reducing morbidity and mortality of chronic disease in middle age.