Evaluation of Diagnostic Tests and Decision Analysis (UMAP)

Students using this unit will be able to: 1) calculate the predictive value of a positive or negative test result in model clinical situations; 2) estimate the sensitivity and specificity required from a test for a desired certainty of diagnosis; 3) analyze alternative modes of using multiple tests and choose the mode that optimizes the information gained about a single disease or a group of diseases; 4) describe a clinical situation in terms of decision points and probabilistic events connected in a decision tree; 5) evaluate overall strategies of diagnosis and treatment in terms of probabilities, costs, and benefits of outcomes.

Table of Contents:

1. CHOOSING A CLINICAL TEST

2. EVALUATION OF DIAGNOSTIC TESTS

3. MULTI-DISEASE AND MULTI-TEST ANALYSIS

4. MEDICAL DECISION ANALYSIS

5. EXERCISES

6. ANSWERS TO EXERCISES

7. SAMPLE EXAM

8. ANSWERS TO SAMPLE EXAM