[Roaming through methodology. XXXII. False test results].
The number of requests for diagnostic tests is rising. This leads to a higher chance of false test results. The false-negative proportion of a test is the proportion of negative test results among the diseased subjects. The false-positive proportion is the proportion of positive test results among the healthy subjects. The calculation of the false-positive proportion is often incorrect. For example, instead of 1 minus the specificity it is calculated as 1 minus the positive predictive value. This can lead to incorrect decision-making with respect to the application of the test. Physicians must apply diagnostic tests in such a way that the risk of false test results is minimal. The patient should be aware that a perfectly conclusive diagnostic test is rare in medical practice, and should more often be informed of the implications of false-positive and false-negative test results.
van der Weijden
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Universiteit Maastricht, capaciteitsgroep Huisartsgeneeskunde, Postbus 616, 6200 MD Maastricht. trudy.vanderweijden@hag.unimaas.nl
van den Akker
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D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D019937:Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures / Q000592:standards*; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D006801:Humans