Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Decision analysis: dealing with uncertainty in diagnostic testing.
- Journal:
- Preventive veterinary medicine
- Year:
- 2000
- Authors:
- Smith, R D & Slenning, B D
- Affiliation:
- College of Veterinary Medicine · United States
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
This paper talks about a method called decision analysis, which helps veterinarians make informed choices when dealing with uncertain results from diagnostic tests. It explains how to consider various factors, like how likely a disease is before and after testing, how accurate the tests are, and how different tests might affect each other. The authors use examples from cattle diseases, like Johne's disease and traumatic reticuloperitonitis, as well as canine heartworm disease, to show how this method can help in both group and individual cases. Overall, the paper emphasizes the importance of carefully weighing options to improve decision-making in veterinary diagnostics.
Abstract
Decision analysis is a process for systematically analyzing complex choices by considering all pertinent information. In this paper, we discuss how uncertainty associated with diagnostic testing can be included in a decision analysis using pay-off tables and decision trees (decision-flow diagrams). Variables associated with diagnostic test interpretation (such as pre-test and post-test probability of disease; test sensitivity, specificity and predictive values; fixed cut-offs versus continuous measurement scales; test dependence associated with the use of multiple tests) are considered. Several decision criteria and output measures are discussed (including MAXIMIN and MAXIMAX criteria, opportunity costs, expected monetary values, expected utility, sensitivity and risk-profile analysis, and threshold analysis). The application of decision analysis to diagnostic testing for Johne's disease and traumatic reticuloperitonitis of cattle, and for canine heartworm disease are used to illustrate both population- and patient-oriented applications and criteria for ranking the desirability of different outcomes.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10802338/