title: Sensitivity, Specificity, and Receiver Operating Characteristics: A Primer for Neuroscience Nurses.
abstract: It is important for neuroscience nurses to have a solid understanding of the instruments they use in clinical practice. Specifically, when reviewing reports of research instruments, nurses should be knowledgeable of analytical terms when determining the applicability of instruments for use in clinical practice. The purpose of this article is to review 3 such analytical terms: sensitivity, specificity, and receiver operating characteristic curves. Examples of how these terms are used in the neuroscience literature highlight the relevance of these terms to neuroscience nursing practice. As the role of the nurse continues to expand, it is important not to simply accept all instruments as valid but to be able to critically evaluate their properties for applicability to nursing practice and evidence-based care of our patients.
authors.affiliation: Questions or comments about this article may be directed to Molly McNett, PhD RN CNRN, at mmcnett@metrohealth.org. She is the Director, Nursing Research, MetroHealth System, Cleveland, OH. Shelly Amato, CNS RN CNRN, is Clinical Nurse Specialist, MetroHealth Center for Brain Injury Rehabilitation, Cleveland, OH. DaiWai M. Olson, PhD RN CCRN FNCS, is Associate Professor of Neurology & Neurotherapeutics, Associate Professor of Neurosurgery, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, TX.
authors.forename: Molly
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McNett
authors.forename: Shelly
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Amato
authors.forename: DaiWai M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Olson
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D065816:Neuroscience Nursing / Q000193:education*; D015399:Nursing Research; D012372:ROC Curve; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity