How to Use an Article About a Diagnostic Test

Are the results valid?

• Was there an independent, blind comparison with a reference standard (the "Gold Standard")?
• Did the patient sample include an appropriate spectrum of patients to whom the diagnostic test will be applied in clinical practice?
• Did the results of the test being evaluated influence the decision to perform the reference standard?
• Were the methods for performing the test described in sufficient detail to permit replication?

What are the results?

• Are likelihood ratios for the test results presented or data necessary for their calculation provided?

Will the results help me in caring for my patients?

• Will the reproducibility of the test result and its interpretation be satisfactory in my setting?
• Are the results applicable to my patient?
• Will the results change my management?
• Will patients be better off as a result of the test?

Jaeschke R, et al, for the Evidence-based Medicine Wroking Group. User's Guides to the Medical Literature III. How to Use an Article About a Diagnostic Test: A. Are the Results of the Study Valid? JAMA, 1994;271(5):389-391.

Jaeschke R, et al, for the Evidence-based Medicine Wroking Group. User's Guides to the Medical Literature III. How to Use an Article About a Diagnostic Test: B. What Are the Results and Will They Help Me in Caring for My Patients? JAMA, 1994;271(9):703-707.