Day 1: Monday 8 June

INTRODUCTION TO EVALUATION OF DIAGNOSTICS

The opening workshop of the series will be taught by front-line diagnostics researchers and will provide participants with a basic overview of the components which one might employ for the evaluation of diagnostic tests, including basic health economics and statistics, searching for evidence, pragmatic study design, and behavioural and qualitative methods. Colleagues from the NIHR Research Support Service will discuss NIHR funding and give their top tips for the development of competitive funding applications.

PREREQUISITES and requirements

There are no prerequisites for attendance. The workshop has been formulated so that it is accessible to all who have an interest in gaining a basic understanding of the evaluation of diagnostic tests. Attendees will need to bring a laptop computer with them in order to fully engage with the session on evidence searching.

COURSE STYLE

The course will consist of three sessions of seminars separated by lunch and refreshment breaks. Some of the seminars will incorporate short practical exercises.

Course content (subject to minor changes)

1. Tests as part of a clinical pathway

2. Basic statistics for diagnostic medicine

3. Searching for existing evidence on diagnostic tests

4. Introduction to study design for pragmatic evaluation of diagnostics

5. Behavioural science and qualitative approaches to test evaluation

6. Basic health economics for diagnostic evaluation

7. Top tips for applying for NIHR funding