Screening and assessment serve different purposes in clinical care. Screening tools can help identify areas that may warrant additional exploration, while a clinical assessment provides a more comprehensive understanding of the client's presentation.
What is screening?
Screening typically involves brief, standardized measures used to identify the possible presence of symptoms or risk.
Screening tools:
- Can help identify potential areas for further exploration
- May be repeated over time to track changes
- Do not provide a comprehensive assessment or diagnosis
What is assessment?
Assessment is a comprehensive clinical process that may incorporate:
- Client self-report
- Relevant history and context
- Information collected from various sources, such as psychological tests, clinical interviews, and collateral information
- Observations and the Mental Status Exam (MSE)
- Clinical judgment
How should I use screening tools?
Screening tools are intended to support, not replace, clinical assessment and judgment.
Providers should interpret screening results in conjunction with the client's:
- Clinical presentation
- History
- Current circumstances
- Protective factors
- Other available clinical information
Providers are encouraged to use tools and measures that align with their training, scope of practice, and clinical judgment.