HEALTH SCREENING IN A GENERAL-PRACTICE BY OPPORTUNISTIC RECRUITMENT

Aims: this study aims to assess the effectiveness of opportunistic recruitment into a general practice health screening programme and subsequent improvement in screening rates. Methods: a study group of 754 patients aged 30-69 years (345 men, 409 women) in a Wanganui general practice were invited by the doctor when attending the surgery to return for a preventive health check. The check included a self administered screening questionnaire, selected examination items performed by the practice nurse, and a consultation with the doctor to review the findings. Results: over the three year study period 327 of the men and 392 of the women attended the surgery. An invitation to return for a health check was offered to 307 men and 329 women, with completion of health checks by 294 men and 317 women, resulting in a screening rate in the study group of 85% for men and 78% for women. Selected screening indicators showed improvement with blood pressure recording increasing from 48% to 85% for men, and cervical cancer screening improving from 45% to 87% for women. Conclusion: opportunistic recruitment by the doctor's personal invitation proved an effective approach to health screening in this practice with significant improvement in selected screening indicators.