Routine health check-ups: A boon or a burden.
Date
2016-01
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Abstract
Healthcare provider institutions in India now offer structured
health check-up ‘packages’ for routine screening of common
diseases. While some tests included within their ambit are in
keeping with international and Indian recommendations, some
are entirely unwarranted. Unnecessary and inappropriate
screening tests may cause more harm than benefit. Besides
financial and resource burden, there may be over-diagnosis
and over-treatment, psychological distress due to false-positive
test results, harm from invasive follow-up tests, and false
reassurance due to false-negative test results. Clinicians must
ensure a net benefit from tests and interventions in order to
efficiently deliver preventive services. We reviewed current
screening guidelines for cardiovascular disease and common
cancers, and surveyed multiple ‘packages’ provided at 8
centres in Mumbai, India. We put forth our recommendations
for routine health screening in asymptomatic adults in India.
Natl Med J India 2016;29:18–21
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Citation
Honnekeri Bianca, Vyas Aniruddha, Lokhandwala Disha, Vaishnav Avani, Vaishnav Aditi, Singhal Mayank, Barwad Parag, Krishna Panicker Gopi, Lokhandwala Yash. Routine health check-ups: A boon or a burden. National Medical Journal of India. 2016 Jan-Feb; 29(1): 18-21.