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pubmed:abstractText |
The results of automated multiphasic health testing (AMHT) were evaluated with special attention to diagnoses made by physicians and to false positive results, as well as to laboratory test results. The study population consisted of 1,157 patients at the Health Evaluation Center of the Public Health Service Hospital in Baltimore. Although 95 percent of the patients had at least one newly diagnosed disease or condition., the percentage dropped to 78 percent when dental abnormalities were excluded and to 70 percent when dental, vision, and hearing abnormalities were excluded. Abnormal laboratory test results were observed for 98 percent of the patients, and 36 percent had at least one false positive test result. The study results indicated that AMHT is a highly productive method for comprehensive medical testing with a variety of uses other than mass screening. The productive diagnostic yield combined witha high percentage of false positive results dictate the need for careful planning for followup care, strict attention to quality control, and excellent communication between the AMHT center and the practicing physician.
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