Assessing diagnostic technologies
Flynn K L, Adams E J
Record ID 31999008260
English
Authors' objectives:
To outline study design principles used to evaluate the accuracy of diagnostic tests and introduce measurements of diagnostic test accuracy; and to provide an analytic evidence-based framework used by the MDRC when conducting systematic reviews of diagnostic test literature.
Authors' recommendations:
Studies to determine the safety and efficacy of diagnostic tests are difficult to conduct and are open to sources of potential bias. They require careful attention to principles of design and potential sources of bias if they are to provide valid and useful information to clinicians, patients, and policy makers.
This report describes the analytic framework used by the MDRC Technology Assessment Program to guide the assignment of quality and diagnostic efficacy levels to studies of diagnostic tests. The framework outlines a defined sequence of steps designed to assure that each review meets the criteria for evidence-based medicine. These fundamental questions are addressed:
- Where does an individual study fall in the hierarchy of diagnostic efficacy? - What is the quality of the individual studies that were intended to measure the technologys characteristics as a diagnostic test? - How strong is the evidence supporting a causal link between the use of the technology and improved outcomes of care?
Authors' methods:
Systematic review
Details
Project Status:
Completed
Year Published:
1996
English language abstract:
An English language summary is available
Publication Type:
Not Assigned
Country:
United States
MeSH Terms
- Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures
Contact
Organisation Name:
VA Technology Assessment Program
Contact Address:
Liz Adams, VA Technology Assessment Program, Office of Patient Care Services (11T), VA Boston Healthcare System Room 4D-142, 150 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02130 USA Tel: +1 617 278 4469; Fax: +1 617 264 6587;
Contact Name:
elizabeth.adams@med.va.gov
Contact Email:
elizabeth.adams@med.va.gov
Copyright:
U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.