Summary


You should now be able to:
  • define a diagnostic test and describe its possible outcomes
  • explain and apply the concept of the gold standard
  • construct a 2 X 2 table from clinical data
  • calculate and interpret sensitivity and specificity
  • calculate and interpret positive and negative predictive values
If you now feel comfortable with these concepts, you're done! You'll have a chance to practice more with them in the module entitled “Effects of Prevalence on Diagnostic Tests”. Still want more practice? Try the example on the next page.