One of the relatively recent developments that is almost
certain to bring striking changes in the practice of medicine, adding further
to the emphasis on and practicality of preventive medicine, is automated multi-
phase screening. The idea is to link electronic detection devices, large
numbers of chemical tests, and computer science together to screen or check, at
low cost, large numbers of apparently healthy people, looking for the most
subtle signs of early disease and even of pre-disease states, doing far more
routine testing than physicians have time for, providing them with the results
of the tests, and giving them more opportunity to counsel patients and practice
preventive medicine.
In a periodic checkup that may run two to three hours, a
patient moves from one station to another for checks of hearing, visual acuity,
respiration rate, lung capacity. An electrocardiogram is made; a measurement of
pressure within the eye is quickly made for detection of glaucoma, a major
cause of blindness. A chest x-ray is taken and, in the case of women, a
three-dimensional breast photograph (mammography). Pulse and blood pressuremeasurements are included. The patient answers a self-administered questionnaire
on health history. And blood and urine samples are taken and automatically
checked for indications of infection, gout, diabetes, and other diseases and
also for a variety of biochemical values that may give some indications of pre
disease changes. A computer summarizes the findings and produces a printed
record for the patient's personal physician to evaluate. Automated multiphase screening is moving rapidly out of the experimental phase. Much of the
pioneering work in its development was done by physicians at the Kaiser
Foundation Health Plan in northern California with some financial assistance
from the U.S.Public Health Service
The Public Health Service has awarded funds to set up pilot
programs in Milwaukee, New Orleans, Brooklyn, and Providence-some affiliated
with health centers in poverty areas, others with universities, and still
others with city health departments. Already, some large industries are
planning automated multiphase screening facilities as part of their
occupational health programs. And there are plans for forming medically
directed private companies which would provide automated screening service for
patients referred by physicians.
Automated screening facilities may not be available in your
community yet. Ask your doctor about them. Tell him you are interested. If
the facilities are not available, you will be doing a public service by
encouraging your doctor to push for their establishment in the near future.
YOUR ROLE
You AS the patient in preventive medicine have a role to play that goes far beyond cooperating in regular checkups. You can build and maintain your health, taking advantage of the latest knowledge in such areas as nutrition, weight control, physical activity, rest and relaxation (to be covered in later sections of this posts). You can be alert, too, between checkups for any danger signals.
YOUR ROLE
You AS the patient in preventive medicine have a role to play that goes far beyond cooperating in regular checkups. You can build and maintain your health, taking advantage of the latest knowledge in such areas as nutrition, weight control, physical activity, rest and relaxation (to be covered in later sections of this posts). You can be alert, too, between checkups for any danger signals.
