The Impact of Screening Programs on Incidence Rate: Analysis

This discussion post delves into the relationship between the implementation of new screening programs and changes in incidence rates. The author explores how the introduction of a screening program often leads to an initial increase in identified cases, which is not necessarily a cause for concern, but rather a reflection of improved detection capabilities. The paper emphasizes the crucial role of registered nurses in educating the public about screening programs, managing expectations, and addressing potential anxieties related to increased case identification. The discussion highlights the importance of a proactive approach to screening, which includes public awareness campaigns to ensure the success of the program and improve overall health outcomes. The author also points out the need for nurses to maintain accurate records and provide compassionate care, which are essential for evaluating the program's effectiveness and promoting public trust.

Running head: INCIDENCE RATE AND SCREENING
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Incidence Rate and Screening
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INCIDENCE RATE AND SCREENING
Screening is a population-based activity that helps in the early detection of diseases as
well as the identification of potential risk factors. Screening is deemed an essential activity in
health care as it helps to manage a disease early enough before it progresses to advanced
stages that are difficult to manage. It is, however, important to ensure that the screening
activity is well laid out to attain the desired success. Hence, the current paper aims to
delineate the link between establishing a new screening program and incidence rate while
defining the role of a registered nurse to ensure the success of the program.
Interventions are put in place with the goal of attaining both short-term and long-term
objectives, and incidence rate falls in the realm of short-term goals. Once a screening
programme is put in place, the main goal is to reduce its occurrence prior to its overall
prevalence and associated mortality. Broeders et al. (2018) state that incidence rate is
regarded as the immediate indicator when assessing the effectiveness of a screening
programme. However, when he screening program is newly introduced, there is an increased
number of cases due to the increased availability of this service. Nonetheless, his is not
supposed to be a concern as it does not mean that he condition is increasing. Instead, the new
screening program helps to get an accurate estimate of the condition within the affected or
targeted population (New York State Department of Health, 1999).
In view of the fact that a new screening programme results in a false alarm of high
incidence rates, there might be a wave of panic in the targeted population that might result in
the development of some form of resistance. However, a registered nurse is obliged with the
task of creating awareness and educating the population about the condition of interest and
expected results with the introduction of new screening programme. The population nees to
understand that the screening program helps to detect the disease in its early stages before
progressing to dangerous and untreatable stages like in the case of cancer The nurse is
expected to take a leadership role in delivering compassionate, safe, and ethical practice. He

INCIDENCE RATE AND SCREENING
or she is required to keep a clear and accurate account of the assessments, referrals, and
interventions made as it helps to relate the screening activity to incidence and associated
outcomes (College & Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta [CARNA], 2018). The
right approach in the introduction of a new screening program is bound to result in the
attainment of positive effects over time. In reference to obesity and cardiovascular disease, as
an example, screening helps to detect overweight and obesity early enough, and while the
rates of overweight and obesity might be high, the prevalence of cardiovascular reduce will
reduce in the long run. Otherwise, it will mean that the program was not implemented in an
effective manner; hence, it is important for the screening program to be designed while
factoring in potential barriers and opportunities where false high incidence rates are part and
likely to cause resistance in embracing the new program (Broeders et al., 2018). Sequentially,
this shows that screening is an important activity that helps to detect predictors of a condition
early enough with the ultimate goal of improving overall heath.
Thereby, whereas screening seems to be a beneficial activity in the early detection and
management of diseases, it is important to take an appropriate approach to achieve the
intended outcomes. Usually, when the screening program is introduced and results in an
upsurge of identified disease cases, individual are likely to develop negative perceptions and
attitudes towards the program. As a result, a registered nurse should precede the screening
activity with educational sessions to create awareness and prepare individuals for the likely
outcomes to ensure that the targeted population does not lose confidence in the new screening
program.

INCIDENCE RATE AND SCREENING
References
Broeders, M., Allgood, P., Duffy, S. W., Hofvind, S., Nagtegaal, I. D., Paci, E., Moss, S. M.,
& Bucchi, L. (2018). The impact of mammography screening programmes on
incidence of advanced breast cancer in Europe: a literature review. BMC cancer,
18(1), 860. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-018-4666-1.
College & Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta [CARNA]. (2018). Cervical Cancer
Screening in Alberta. Retrieved from
New York State Department of Health. (1999). The Influence of an Increase in Screening on
Incidence and Mortality Rates-Statistics Teaching Tools. Retrieved from
https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/chronic/screening.htm.