What is the difference between screening and assessment?

• A. Screening identifies potential problems; assessment provides a detailed evaluation to diagnose and plan treatment.
• B. Screening is more detailed; assessment is quick.
• C. They are identical.
• D. Screening determines insurance coverage.

Answer: (A)

Screening and assessment serve different roles in the care process. Screening is a brief, initial check designed to identify potential problems and determine whether a more in-depth evaluation is needed; it’s not meant to diagnose or fully describe the person’s situation. An assessment, on the other hand, is a comprehensive, in-depth evaluation that gathers information about substance use, mental health, medical history, social context, risk factors, and motivation to change, with the goal of making a diagnosis or clinical formulation and crafting a detailed treatment plan. This distinction matters because screening flags possible concerns so you know who needs further work, while assessment provides the thorough information used to diagnose and plan treatment. For example, a short screening might indicate potential substance use issues, prompting a full assessment to determine DSM criteria, co-occurring disorders, severity, level of care, and specific interventions. Insurance coverage is not the purpose of screening; coverage decisions are a separate matter. This is why the statement that screening identifies potential problems and assessment provides a detailed evaluation to diagnose and plan treatment is the best answer.