Screening and targeted examination

The purpose of this article is to provide clarifications regarding the use of screening tests designed to identify individuals at increased risk for problems sought in an inconspicuous population. An individual diagnostic test can be used to make an action-relevant diagnosis on a case by case basis. For screening tests to be useful, predetermined conditions must be met, such as that the special feature sought represents an important health problem, that there is an appropriate test or screening procedure and that the test is acceptable to the population. Clarification and counseling before and after examinations of pregnant women with a wide variety of prior knowledge, misconceptions, and wishes are core elements in dealing with all screening examinations and diagnostic tests.