Population Council Research that makes a difference

Introducing Systematic Screening to
Reduce Unmet Health Needs: A Manager's Manual

The Council's FRONTIERS program developed a training manual to provide guidance for program managers, supervisors, and providers who wish to integrate systematic screening into their health services.

Systematic screening is a simple strategy to increase the number of services received at a single client visit. Through this strategy, providers use a checklist or brief questionnaire to identify each client’s needs and desires for health services. They then provide these services during the same visit, through an appointment at the same clinic or through referral to another facility. Systematic screening has been proven effective in diverse health care settings in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, where it increased services per visit from 9 to 28 percent, depending on the site. Designated a best practice by USAID, systematic screening can ultimately improve women’s health by efficiently addressing multiple unmet needs for reproductive and other health services.

The manual includes a step-by-step list of activities needed for successful implementation of the practice, including a sample screening form and training plan for providers and their supervisors. It is available in English, Spanish, and French.