[Health checks in the Netherlands difficult to control]

The Dutch Health Inspectorate has reviewed 22 health-check providing organisations, which according to the Dutch 'Wet op het Bevolkingsonderzoek' (Population Screening Act) might need a license. 20 organisations did require a license, mainly because they used cancer tests or radiation. The providers offered a considerable variety of tests, many of which were not clearly evidence-based. Patients were insufficiently educated about the content and risks of the tests. Gaps in the legislation make it difficult to control proper compliance with the law. The Dutch Health Inspectorate recommends the following improvements: better communication with professional organisations, better patient education, writing a guideline on health checks and updating legislation to reflect the latest practices concerning health checks.