Incorporating Considerations Important to Older Adults Into the USPSTF Screening Framework
The figure illustrates a generic USPSTF analytic framework for screening. The analytic framework shows older adults at risk being screened for early detection of the target condition, receiving treatment, and the resulting intermediate outcomes and reduced morbidity and mortality. The analytic framework also accounts for the potential adverse effects of screening and treatment. In addition to the generic screening framework, issues that need to be considered for older adults are highlighted: older adults often have competing morbidity and decreased health-related quality of life and functioning; potential use of proxy decisionmakers; weighing risks and benefits of screening and treatment and accounting for patient preferences; increased risk of adverse effects due to increased comorbidity and/or decreased functional status; less time to benefit from screening and treatment due to decreased life expectancy; and that treatment could potentially improve health-related quality of life and functional status.
Current as of: October 2012