[Flexible screening for psychological effects of neurotoxic exposure--concept and initial empirical findings].

Abstract

On the basis of the unsatisfactory efficiency of the present screening method (sensitivity: 55%, specificity: 75%) the new conception of a flexible screening method for psychic impairments in case of neurotoxic occupational exposure is introduced. This method integrates different problem-relevant psychodiagnostic dimensions already at screening level and allows adaptation to differentiated aims, conditions and populations of investigations thanks to variable effort control and a variety of investigation and evaluation methods that can be used. The empirical trial of 11 concrete screening variants results in a markedly better sensitivity and specificity (80% to 90%). This essential increase in the diagnostic classification quality justifies the higher effort in terms of psychological investigation capacity necessary for high-quality screening. Some aspects of its further practical application are touched because even the first partial implementations testify the high degree of efficiency and practical relevancy of the flexible screening conception.