Interpreting Diagnostic Tests in Clinical Practice

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Course Description

This program is worth 1.0 CME credits.

So much depends on making a correct diagnosis. Prognosis and treatment are both guided by diagnosis. Yet, our diagnosis often hinges on the results of diagnostic testing, which is far from perfect. If one does not temper the interpretation of test results with an understanding of the limitations of testing, misleading results may lead to misdiagnosis. This course provides detailed instruction on how to assess a diagnostic test and how to interpret the result as it applies to an individual patient. Topics include: sensitivity, specificity, predictive value, likelihood ratio, cut-point, ROC curves, and Bayes’ theorem. In addition to instruction, the course provides you with a downloadable spreadsheet tool for calculating Bayesian probabilities in your own patients.

Please note that users of this course will need to utilize the spreadsheet tool, which is in Microsoft Excel format. Mac users will need to use Excel version 2011 or later to access the tool.

CME: 1.0 credit

Pricing

Members: $29.00
Nonmembers: $49.00
Students, Residents, and Fellows: $29.00

Learning Objectives

As a result of this program the learner will:

Be able to apply Bayes' Theorem to diagnostic tests. Specifically:

• Assess the clinical value of diagnostic tests
• Compare the performance of one diagnostic test with that of another
• Calculate predictive values using Bayesian analysis
• Apply calculations in a clinical neurological setting

Core Competencies

• Patient Care
• Professionalism
• Medical Knowledge

Date of Release

September 19, 2012

This module is eligible for CME credits for three years from the release date.

Confidentiality of Data

All material © American Academy of Neurology Institute unless otherwise indicated. All rights reserved.

See complete Terms of Use.

Faculty & Disclosures

DON B. SMITH, MD, FAAN
Clinical Profesor of Neurology
University of Colorado
*Dr. Smith has nothing to disclose.

Distance Learning Subcommittee, Chair

A. GORDON SMITH, MD, FAAN
University of Utah Department of Neurology
Salt Lake City, Utah
*Dr. Smith has received personal compensation for activities with Allergan, Baxter Bioscience, Merz, Pfizer and NeurogesX as a consultant.

NeuroLearn Staff:

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Tracy King, MA, Senior Manager, Education
*Ms. King has nothing to disclose.

Jodi Brenden Amir, Program Manager, Distance Learning
*Ms. Brenden Amir has nothing to disclose.

Susan Rodmyre, Director, Education
*Ms. Rodmyre has nothing to disclose.

Kurt Wiersma, Senior Manager, Web Development
*Mr. Wiersma has nothing to disclose.

Lori Strachota, Program Manager, Conference Management, Registration
*Ms. Strachota has nothing to disclose.

*Relationship Disclosure

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