Many individuals, including healthcare professionals, can have trouble applying probabilistic diagnostic information into evidence-based decisions. This also includes those ordering the diagnostic tests. This is becoming increasingly important as more testing is promoted for low-risk patients, such as genetic tests. Performance capabilities of every laboratory test varies and is highly influenced by population prevalence. Laboratorians can advocate for practices that enhance interpretation of test results to improve clinical decision-making.
Sources:
Manrai AK, Bhatia G, Strymish J, Kohane IS, Jain SH. Medicine’s uncomfortable relationship with math: calculating positive predictive value. JAMA Intern Med. 2014;174(6):991–93. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2014.1059. PMID: 24756486.
Morgan DJ, Pineles L, Owczarzak J, et al. Accuracy of practitioner estimates of probability of diagnosis before and after testing. JAMA Intern Med. 2021;181(6):747–755. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2021.0269. PMID: 33818595.
Stovitz, S.D. The inability to calculate predictive values: an old problem that has not gone away. Med.Sci.Educ. 2020; 30:685–8. PMID: 34457725.
Whiting PF, Davenport C, Jameson C, et al. How well do health professionals interpret diagnostic information? A systematic review. BMJ Open 2015;5:e008155. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-008155. PMID: 26220870.