Key facts

Overview

The aim of this module is to critically appraise and apply, at an advanced level, the best evidence on diagnostic tests. This will briefly revise then extend material on diagnostics from the introductory modules. The module will be led by Dr Annette Pluddemann, Director of the Horizon Scanning Programme at the University of Oxford.

Description

Basic Diagnostics

• understand and be able to extract measures of test accuracy
• understand the concepts of sensitivity, specificity, repeatability and predictive values
• calculate sensitivity, specificity, prevalence and predictive values
• calculate and apply Likelihood Ratios
• Advanced Diagnostics

• understand the context of diagnostic processes, and the limitations and biases of clinical reasoning
• critically appraise articles assessing the validity and repeatability a screening or diagnostic test, including understanding the importance of:
  • Independent, blind reference standard
  • Spectrum of patients
  • Verification bias
• understand and interpret ROC curves
• calculate and apply Likelihood Ratios with more than two outcome values
• understand the concepts and importance of the following issues when conducting a critical appraisal of a systematic review for a screening or diagnostic test:
  • Inclusion/exclusion criteria
  • Implicit / explicit thresholds
  • Applicability of screening
• gain insight into aspects of commissioning diagnostic services
• understand the diagnostic pathway and the role of different tests, including monitoring and screening
• understand the implications of combined tests, including the use and construction of clinical prediction rules

Staff

Dr Annette Pluddemann

Role: Tutor

Annette is the Director of the Horizon Scanning Programme in the Oxford Centre for Monitoring and Diagnosis at the Oxford University Department of...more Primary Health Care. Her research focuses on identifying innovations in diagnostic technologies likely to have a significant impact in primary care, and disseminating this information to NHS bodies, such as the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) and the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) and Commissioning bodies. She teaches undergraduate and postgraduate students at Oxford University and is a tutor for the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine.

close

Assessment methods

Accommodation

Accommodation is available at the Rewley House Residential Centre, within the Department for Continuing Education, in central Oxford. The comfortable, en-suite, study-bedrooms are rated 3-star, and come with free high-speed internet access and TV. Guests can take advantage of the excellent dining facilities and common room bar, where they may relax and network with others on the programme.

Scholarships

Details of funding opportunities, including grants, bursaries, loans, scholarships and benefit information are available on our financial assistance page.

Fee options

Programme Fee

For students enrolled on the MSc in Evidence-Based Health Care: £1450.00

Stand-alone short course fee: £1790.00

Apply for this course

Programmes including this module

This module can be studied as part of these programmes:

• MSc in Evidence-Based Health Care
• Postgraduate Diploma in Health Research
• Short courses in health sciences