Chapter 3: The Complete Subjective Health Assessment
Appendix A: Screening Recommendations and Organizations
General
- Up-to-date recommendations based on the current evidence: Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care, established by the Public Health Agency of Canada, offers clinical practice guidelines that support primary care providers in delivering preventive health care: Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care Guidelines
- Provincial/territorial government programs and services, including coverage and recommendations for screening. Search for your region (e.g., the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care: Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care).
Blood Pressure
- Hypertension screening recommendations: Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care Hypertension Screening Recommendations
- Clinical article: “Recommendations on screening for high blood pressure in Canadian adults,” by P. Lindsay and colleagues (2013). Published in Canadian Family Physician, 59(9), 927-933, and available at Recommendations on screening for high blood pressure in Canadian adults
Breast, Colorectal, and Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines
- Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Screening Guidelines
- Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care Cervical Cancer Screening Recommendations
Prostate Cancer and the PSA Test
Diabetes
Dental
- Canadian Dental Association (CDA): Recommendations for dental screening, cleaning, and X-rays vary based on several factors such as your dental health and age. The CDA suggests a dental exam approximately every six months. They are not specific about the frequency of X-rays other than to say that if a client has not had any problems, such as cavities for a couple of years, then an X-ray is not required at every appointment. See Canadian Dental Association
- American Dental Association: Recommendations for X-rays are every two to three years if the client has good oral health and minimal risk of dental problems.
Vision
- Canadian Ophthalmological Society: Recommendations are for an eye exam at six months of age and then frequency based on the client’s eye health and risk of eye problems. They note that a client should see an ophthalmologist when they experience vision problems or changes to the eye: Canadian Ophthalmological Society
