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pubmed:abstractText |
Abnormal results of diagnostic laboratory tests can be difficult to interpret when disease probability is very low. Although most physicians generally do not use Bayesian calculations to interpret abnormal results, their estimates of pretest disease probability and reasons for ordering diagnostic tests may--in a more implicit manner--influence test interpretation and further management. A better understanding of this influence may help to improve test interpretation and management. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the influence of physicians' pretest disease probability estimates, and their reasons for ordering diagnostic tests, on test result interpretation, posttest probability estimates and further management.
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pubmed:affiliation |
Department of General Practice, PMaastricht University, School of Public Health and Primary Care (CAPHRI), O Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, the Netherlands. paul.houben@hag.unimaas.nl
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