labelling effect
Last reviewed 01/2018
Screening labels people who previously thought of themselves as healthy as having a disease. Even diagnosing hypertension has been shown to increase absenteeism from work.
It is therefore important to:
- confirm the existence of the disease by other techniques
- take time to explain the disease and answer the patient's questions
- screen only where early detection will benefit the patient (see criteria for screening)
- ensure that the patient is properly followed up