Table 2.

Organisation and occurrence of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening in Australia and the UK

	Australia	UK
For men asking about prostate screening	PSA screening is available. GPs are advised to offer evidence-based decisional support to men considering whether or not to have a PSA test, including the opportunity to discuss the benefits and harms of PSA screening before making the decision.	PSA screening is available, but with conditions. The National Health Service Prostate Cancer Risk Management Programme has recommended that screening for prostate cancer be available for asymptomatic men, on the understanding that they have been provided with full and balanced information about the advantages and limitations of the PSA test.
Screening frequency	GPs reported frequently providing PSA screening within routine consultations. GPs reported often initiating discussion of PSA screening; GPs reported commonly receiving requests for PSA screening.	GPs reported that PSA screening was rare in practice. UK GPs reported not promoting PSA screening; they also reported that men rarely asked for PSA screening.
Guidance for GPs	GPs are free to practice according to individual standards. Australian guidance was mixed (see table 1). The National Health and Medical Research Council has recently issued guidance to Australian GPs to drive greater consistency in practice.	Government-issued standards for PSA screening and communication processes in clinical settings are in place. Guidance has been distributed to all GPs in England and Wales to assist in the provision of information to men. GPs can choose to follow issued guidance but seem inclined to operate within the bounds of their health system.
Preferred form of information provision	GPs reported generally informing men via a verbal discussion of PSA screening.	GPs reported relying on a standardised printed information leaflet. This was central to the consultation, sometimes alongside a brief verbal discussion.
Appointment structure	PSA screening tests were usually discussed and ordered in a single appointment.	Information-giving occurred in a separate appointment to PSA screening itself.

Summary of findings and details reported in Pickles et al 2016.

GP, general practitioner.