Diagnostic research in the past focused particularly on estimating the sensitivity and specificity of individual diagnostic tests. This online medical course will demonstrate that this so called ‘test research’ is not necessarily the same as diagnostic research.
Furthermore, we will widen the horizon by proposing modern methods of diagnostic research and data analysis in which a patient’s test result can and should be considered in the context of other patient characteristics or test results. These methods enable 1. direct estimation of individual probabilities of disease presence based on all diagnostic information and 2. evaluation of the extent to which a particular diagnostic test has true added value in the clinical context.
At the end of this course, you’ll should be able to:
• Describe the principles and design of primary diagnostic studies
• Describe the advantages and disadvantages of different approaches in primary diagnostic studies
• Describe the validity aspects of primary diagnostic studies
• Describe the methods for data collection in the different study designs of primary diagnostic studies
• Explain the differences between different design and analytical approaches in primary diagnostic studies
• Name the different measures of diagnostic value or accuracy that can be calculated from primary diagnostic studies
• Explain and use modern design and analytical approaches instead of the classical approach in primary diagnostic studies
• Describe the clinical utility and health technology assessment of diagnostic impact studies
• Choose an appropriate study design and analytical approach to be used in a specific situation or to answer a specific study question in both primary diagnostic studies
Exam edition November 2023
The exam will take place on December 15th, 2023 from 14:15 – 17:15 CET. The re-examination will take place on February 2th, 2024 from 14:15 – 17:15 CET. Note: these times might be subject to change. The exact time and place will be announced as soon as possible in the learning environment and any changes announced there will overrule the information here.
Taking the exam is not compulsory. However, if you want to receive the Course Certificate and the credits, it is obligatory to take the exam. You are allowed to redo the exam once.
It might be that, due to a force majeure situation, you cannot be present during the first exam moment.
• MSc Epidemiology Postgraduate students must then, preferably prior to the first exam option, ask the academic counsellor for permission to be absent. Please note that the academic counsellor can ask for some form of proof of your absence (e.g. in case of illness) to establish if you are applicable for authorized absence. Jaco de Fockert-Koefoed, MSc is the academic counsellor you need to turn to through adviseurs@umcutrecht.nl.
• All other participants should contact the MSc Epidemiology Office instead, through MSc-Epidemiology@umcutrecht.nl.
In short, as of now, it is no longer possible to skip the first exam option and -automatically- enroll in the second (re-sit) exam. Unauthorized absence during the first exam period results in no longer being able to finish the course that college year.
To enroll in this course, you first need to follow these courses:
Compulsory study materials:
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