Intended for healthcare professionals

Editorials

Evaluating laboratory diagnostic tests

BMJ 2008; 336 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.39513.576701.80 (Published 13 March 2008) Cite this as: BMJ 2008;336:569
  1. Tom Walley, director, National Institute for Health Research health technologies assessment programme
  1. 1University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GF
  1. twalley{at}liv.ac.uk

International collaboration to set standards and methods is urgently needed

Recent technological developments have created a new generation of laboratory diagnostics, which promise to provide better ways of detecting diseases and monitoring response to treatment. These tests create the possibility of earlier and more accurate diagnosis, and of shifting health care from hospitals to the community—making it more effective, efficient, and accessible. But two recent reports—one of which is published this week—highlight the relatively low importance given by clinicians and policy makers to evaluating laboratory diagnostic tests.1 2 In an accompanying analysis, Melzer and colleagues outline the problems caused by this, specifically relating to the evaluation of genetic tests, and propose ways of overcoming them.3

So how should we evaluate tests? First, we must be clear about the purpose of the test—whether it is meant to diagnose, monitor, guide prognosis or treatment, or predict risk. Then the context in which it is used needs to be specified—for example, the disorder or disease, its prevalence in a particular population, and the care pathway that the test …

View Full Text

Log in

Log in through your institution

Subscribe

* For online subscription