Evaluating Medical Tests: Objective and Quantitative Guidelines.

Abstract

Introduction Disorder and Diagnosis Definition Test Protocol, Response, Referent Families of Test Referents Population and Sampling Sensitivity and Specificity The Signal Detection Approach Predictive Values The Bayesian Approach, Risk Ratios and Odds Ratio Efficiency Choosing Clinically Optimal Tests Taking Test Costs into Account Costworthy Tests Basic Issues in Using Multiple Tests Evaluating Batteries of Medical Tests Optimal Sequences Evaluating Batteries of Medical Tests Optimal Scores Evaluating Batteries of Prognostic Tests with Variable Follow-Up Times Evaluation of Medical Tests The Past, Present and Future