Evidenced Based Diagnostics

Just as the harms and benefits of drugs needs to be evaluated, so do diagnostic tests. The article "Evidenced Based Diagnostics" describes how it is useful to mirror the phases used in drug research to create similar architecture for research into diagnostic tests.

According to this report, there is little consensus on systemizing the methods for assessing diagnostic tests. There is a need to fully evaluate diagnostic tests prior to them being used in clinical practice. Then once diagnostic tests are in place, there should be continous monitoring to evaluate effectiveness of the test.

Gluud C, Gluud LL. "Evidence based diagnostics" BMJ 2005;330:724-726 (26 March)