Diagnostic research in the past focused particularly on estimating the sensitivity and specificity of individual diagnostic tests. This course will demonstrate that this so called ‘test research’ is not necessarily the same as diagnostic research. Furthermore, we will widen the horizon by proposing modern methods of diagnostic research and data analysis in which a patient’s test result can and should be considered in the context of other patient characteristics or test results. These methods enable
1. direct estimation of individual probabilities of disease presence based on all diagnostic information and
2. evaluation of the extent to which a particular diagnostic test has true added value in the clinical context.
Also, conventional and advanced methods for systematic reviews of diagnostic tests will be presented.
