Glossary
Screening
Screening: Detection of unrecognised disease or condition in the general population by using reliable tests, examinations or other procedures which can be applied rapidly
Opportunistic screening: Detection of, or case finding of specific diseases that can be controlled better when detected early in their natural history, particularly in individuals or groups who may be predisposed to that disease, eg. individuals with particular risk factors
High risk individuals: Those individuals who have risk factors which are likely to predispose them to impending disease
High index of suspicion: Level of awareness of clusters of risk factors such as lifestyle, socioeconomic, personal medical history and family medical history, which may predispose individuals to disease.
Evidence
Good evidence: There is good quality evidence obtained from randomised clinical trials to support or reject a recommendation
Fair evidence: Evidence obtained from studies such as well designed pseudo randomised controlled trials (alternate allocation or some other method), comparative studies with concurrent controls and allocation not randomised (cohort studies), case control studies, or interrupted time series with a control group or comparative studies with historical control, two or more single arm studies, or interrupted time series without a parallel control group
Poor evidence: Evidence obtained from case series, either post- or pre-test and post-test, or opinions of respected authorities based on clinical experience, descriptive studies or reports of expert committees
No evidence: Exhaustive searches have revealed there are no studies that address recommendations in general practice for the target disease or condition.
Prevention
Primary prevention: Prevention of diseases or disorders in the general population by encouraging community wide measures such as good nutritional status, physical fitness, immunisation, and making the environment safe. Primary prevention maintains good health and reduces the likelihood of disease occurring
Secondary prevention: Detection of the early stages of disease before symptoms occur, and the prompt and effective intervention to prevent disease progression
Tertiary prevention: Prevention or minimisation of complications or disability associated with established disease. Preventive measures are part of the treatment or management of the target disease or condition.
© The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
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