Because of their close relationship, the terms screening and testing are sometimes used interchangeably. According to the reading, testing is a method that involves taking a sample from a patient who has complaints and exhibits particular symptoms in order to diagnose the problem. Screening is the gathering of samples from a person who does not exhibit any symptoms in order to find a case (Baillie, Mcgeehan, Garrett & Garrett, 2013).
The overarching concept of testing is that using the test will benefit the patient and justify the cost of the test. The reading reveals that there are various advantages to routine testing and screening for diseases. However, there are issues that arise from testing and screening of patients which any medical practitioner must know to eliminate possible legal cases (Baillie et al., 2013).
Dangers for Patients and Healthcare Providers
There is a risk in the misuse of screening results meant for case study findings. By making public the results, if the screening was done for the public interest, the possibility of breaching the confidentiality requirement exists and the people who have been screened may also feel stigmatized when the results of the process they participated in becomes a subject of public discussion (Baillie et al., 2013). The reading shows that there is a need for the medical professional to ensure the accuracy of the test while the patient should be convinced that there will be an improvement in their condition (Baillie et al., 2013). A test should, therefore, be both specific and sensitive to avoid a misdiagnosis which could further endanger the life of a patient.
There are key ethical issues that are of concern when carrying out tests and screening. The medical professional should consider the cost factor before recommending a test to a patient. It is unethical to recommend a costly test and yet the results do not significantly improve the condition of the patient, which is simply a waste of funds (Baillie et al., 2013).
Confidentiality and Informed Consent Issues
The exercise is perceived to be misplaced if a practitioner is moved by the desire to keep the job by doing tests and screening that have no justifiable benefits to the patient The patient should aware of the benefit, cost, as well as the risk of a test or screening process. The patient should also be informed who will access the results of the exercise. A medical practitioner cannot, therefore, test a patient for their own reasons without patient’s interests. In cases where there is mass testing or screening, the reason must be justifiable and the participants involved considered the beneficiaries of the exercise (Baillie et al., 2013).
Reference
Baillie, H., Mcgeehan, J., Garrett, T., & Garrett, R. (2013). Health Care Ethics (6th ed., pp. 278- 298). New York: Pearson.
