An assessment of diagnostic efficiency by Taguchi/DEA methods.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this paper is to propose a new, objective and consistent method for the calculation of the diagnostic efficiency in medical applications.


METHODS
In this study, a hybrid method of Taguchi and DEA is proposed. This method reflects the diversity of inputs and outputs by incorporating the stepwise application of sensitivity, specificity, leveling threshold, and efficiency score. A hypothetical case study is given which involves eight readers of X-ray films in clinical radiology.


RESULTS
The selected pairs of sensitivity and specificity yielded two efficient readers. After super efficiency analysis, Reader 6 is found to be the most efficient reader.


CONCLUSIONS
The paper presents a new, objective and consistent method for the calculation of the diagnostic efficiency in medical applications.
Taner
Mehmet Tolga
MT
Department of Human Resource Management, Dogus University, Istanbul, Turkey. mtaner@gyte.ed.tr
Sezen
Bulent
B
D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D019937:Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D006801:Humans; D015588:Observer Variation; D011859:Radiography; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity