This workshop is given on behalf of the Screening and Diagnostic Tests Methods Group and the Cochrane Diagnostic Test Accuracy Working Group.

Workshop type: Training.

Objective: To provide an introduction to the methodology of quality assessment of diagnostic test accuracy studies. The aim is to provide an overview of the key steps involved in the assessment of methodological quality in a systematic review of diagnostic test accuracy.

Summary:
The Cochrane Collaboration has decided to include systematic reviews of diagnostic test accuracy studies in their databases. The ‘Cochrane diagnostic reviews methodology working group’ (CDR group) have developed a handbook and software to guide the process of conducting reviews of diagnostic test accuracy. The CDR group has developed a series of workshops, all addressing CDR group guidelines as formulated in the handbook. This workshop concerns quality assessment of diagnostic test accuracy studies.

The workshop will include an introduction to the five dimensions of quality assessment:
a) concepts of quality;
b) empirical evidence of bias;
c) how to assess quality;
d) how to incorporate quality into systematic reviews;
e) limitations of measuring and incorporating quality.

Statistical methods to deal with design related sources of bias and variation are discussed in a separate workshop. The workshop will include interactive exercises involving the assessment and discussion of some design characteristics by reviewing published articles.

Intended audience: Review authors interested in conducting diagnostic test accuracy systematic reviews.

Technical level expected of participants: Basic.