Diagnostics Horizon Scanning Volume 2 Issue 1

Screening for postnatal depression in primary care: cost effectiveness analysis

Title: Screening for postnatal depression in primary care: cost effectiveness analysis

Source: British Medical Journal, 2009, 339:b5203

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Date of publication: December, 2009

 Publication type: Journal Article

 In a nutshell: Cost effectiveness analysis with a decision model of alternative methods of screening for depression in Primary Care. A hypothetical population of women assessed for postnatal depression either via routine care only or supplemented by use of formal identification methods six weeks postnatally. The main outcome measures were costs expressed in 2006-7 prices and impact on health outcomes expressed in terms of quality adjusted life years (QALYs). Formal identification methods for postnatal depression do not seem to represent value for money for the NHS. The major determinant of cost effectiveness seems to be the potential additional costs of managing women incorrectly diagnosed as depressed.

Length of publication: 8 page journal article

Some important notes: Fulltext is available through some NHS Athens Accounts (North West PCTs). Please contact your local NHS Library if you need an NHS Athens Account or to request the fulltext if your NHS Athens Account won’t allow you to access it. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Consultation: National Service Specifications

Source: UK Screening Portal

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Date of publication: January, 2010

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: These consultations look at the draft national service specifications for newborn blood spot screening and newborn hearing screening (hospital and community).  Closing date for comments is 8th February 2010.

Length of publication: Web page

Some important notes: The consultations can be accessed by clicking here

Joined Up Approach to Antenatal & Newborn Screening

Source: UK Screening Portal

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Date of publication: January, 2010

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: Presentations and posters from this conference that was held on 30th November 2009 are now available.  These include:

• How to Commission High Quality Screening Programmes
• Securing Early Access: Innovations in maternity care provision
• Implementing Better Standards in Maternity care – Access, Equality and Impact on Screening Services
• Newborn blood spot screening: the role of the PCT Public Health Department
• Newborn blood spot training for Healthcare Assistants

Length of publication: Web page

New Consultation: Stomach Cancer

Source:  UK Screening Portal

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Date of publication: December, 2009

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: A consultation on stomach cancer screening, by the UK National Screening Committee, has begun.  Closing date for comments is 14th March 2010.

Length of publication: Web page

Some important notes: The consultation can be accessed by clicking here

Barriers to cervical cancer screening attendance in England: a population-based survey

Source: Journal of Medical Screening, 2009, 16 (4), p199-204

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Date of publication: December, 2009

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Face-to-face interviews were conducted to explore the barriers to cervical screening attendance.  In addition, the barriers endorsed by women who were up-to-date with screening versus those who were overdue were compared.  Results showed that practical barriers were more predictive of screening uptake than emotional barriers, which has implications for service provision and future interventions to increase uptake.

Length of publication: 6 page journal article

Some important notes: Fulltext is available through some NHS Athens Accounts (North West PCTs). Please contact your local NHS Library if you need an NHS Athens Account or to request the fulltext if your NHS Athens Account won’t allow you to access it. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Self-sampling devices for human papillomavirus testing in the cervical screening context

Title: Exploring the acceptability of two self-sampling devices for human papillomavirus testing in the cervical screening context: a qualitative study of Muslim women in London

Source: Journal of Medical Screening, 2009, 16 (4), p193-198

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Date of publication: December, 2009

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: Some Muslim women are reluctant to attend cervical screening because of language difficulties, embarrassment, fear or they were not married and did not want others to be aware they were sexually active.  This study recruited 28 Muslim women to take part in focus groups to discuss cervical screening, self-sampling and HPV testing.  Most of the women who took part said they would prefer a health professional to screen them, although if they had to perform self-sampling they preferred the swab to the lavage kit.

Length of publication: 6 page journal article

Some important notes: Fulltext is available through some NHS Athens Accounts (North West PCTs).  Please contact your local NHS Library if you need an NHS Athens Account or to request the fulltext if your NHS Athens Account won’t allow you to access it. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

Perceived barriers to flexible sigmoidoscopy screening among ethnic minority groups

Title: Perceived barriers to flexible sigmoidoscopy screening for colorectal cancer among UK ethnic minority groups: a qualitative study

Source: Journal of Medical Screening 2009, 16 (4), p174-179

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Date of publication: December, 2009

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: This study explored barriers in the uptake of flexible sigmoidoscopy among UK ethnic minority populations and ways to increase uptake were investigated. Anxiety, language difficulties and unawareness of bowel cancer were cited as barriers across all ethnic groups.  General Practitioner involvement and ethnically tailored health promotion were recommended as ways of overcoming these barriers.

Length of publication: 6 page journal article

Some important notes: Fulltext is available through some NHS Athens Accounts (North West PCTs).  Please contact your local NHS Library if you need an NHS Athens Account or to request the fulltext if your NHS Athens Account won’t allow you to access it. Follow this link to find your local NHS Library.

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Diagnostics Horizon Scanning Volume 1 Issue 10