Test reduction: I--Introduction and review of published work. Issue 6239 (23rd August 1980)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Card, W I; Emerson, P A
• Is Part Of: BMJ. Volume 281:Issue 6239(1980)
• Page Start: 543
• Page End: 545
• Publication Date: 1980-08-23
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine; Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1136/bmj.281.6239.543
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1447

Abstract

Abstract : The word "test" is used in a more general sense to describe the process of eliciting evidence of any kind from a patient, and this paper explores the thesis that much evidence is unnecessary and that therefore much test reduction is possible. The value of test reduction can be measured by its efficiency--that is, its effect on the misclassification of disease--or, preferably, by some measure of its cost-effectiveness.