Screening

Question 1

What are the 5 criteria needed to be satisfied for a screening programme

Answer 1

1 - The condition
2- The test
3 - The intervention
4 - The screening programme
5 - Implementation criteria

Question 2

Describe the term ‘false positive’

Answer 2

A test that screens someone as HAVING the condition, when in fact they DO NOT have the condition

Question 3

Describe ‘Sensitivity’

Answer 3

The proportion of people with the disease test positive

E.g. If 100 have cancer and 99 are screened as positive, then the test is highly sensitive

Question 4

Describe ‘Specificity’

Answer 4

Proportion of people without the disease who test negative

Question 5

What is a false negative

Answer 5

A result that says the person does not have the disease but in actual fact has it

Question 6

Define Positive Predictive value

Answer 6

Probability that someone who has tested positive actually has the disease

Question 7

Define Negative Predictive Value

Answer 7

Proportion of people that have tested negative that do not have the disease

Question 8

What are the 2 broad distinctions between ‘Specificity and Sensitivity’ & PPV and NPV

Answer 8

Sensitivity and Specificity = Focus is on the person getting a result

PPV and NPV = Focus on whether the result is correct