screening test
any testing procedure designed to separate out people or items with a given characteristic or property. Screening tests are typically used to distinguish people who have a disease, disorder, or premorbid condition from those who do not; they may be used, for example, in primary health care settings at intake to identify people who are depressed and need further clinical attention. Screening tests are designed to be broadly sensitive, and subsequent highly specific or focused testing is often required to confirm the results. They are also often designed to be brief to facilitate broad classifications.