Abstract
A number of factors must be considered in the evaluation of new methods of investigation including (a) diagnostic value, (b) therapeutic consequence, (c) discomfort and risk to the patient, and (d) economic cost. This chapter deals with the evaluation of a diagnostic test in connection with the detection or exclusion of anatomically defined diseases with an accessible diagnostic criterion (e.g., malignant tumors). In such cases the diagnostic specificity may be calculated (i.e., the probability that a patient has the disease provided the test is positive P(d | t) ) and the diagnostic sensitivity may also be calculated (i.e., the probability that a patient does not have the disease provided the test is negative P(d̅ | t̅) ).
From Rational Diagnosis and Treatment (1976) with permission of the author, S. N. Rasmussen, and the publisher, L. B. Lippincott Co., Philadelphia.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Lusted, L. B., Introduction to Decision Making, Springfield, C. C. Thomas (1968).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1979 United Engineering Trustees
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Rasmussen, S.N. (1979). The Evaluation of Diagnostic Tests. In: Preston, K., Taylor, K.J.W., Johnson, S.A., Ayers, W.R. (eds) Medical Imaging Techniques. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-3486-6_4
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-3486-6_4
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-3488-0
Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-3486-6
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive