gms | German Medical Science

Background: Accuracy is usually the primary criterion that is used to evaluate evidence for diagnostic imaging (DI) as part of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs). However, there are significant problems with determining the true accuracy of DI examinations, primarily because of the difficulty of identifying an appropriate reference standard. Evidence grading systems rate randomized control trials as the highest level of evidence, but it is difficult to design these studies for the assessment of routine DI because of the long management course between the DI intervention and the patient outcome. The concept of Levels of Efficacy for Diagnostic Imaging offers a useful approach to assessing the role of DI in CPGs.

Objectives: To understand the complexity of developing and evaluating evidence for the role of diagnostic imaging in clinical practice guidelines and to introduce the concept of Levels of Efficacy.

Suggested audience: Anybody interested in evaluating evidence for DI and anybody involved in developing CPGs which include recommendations about DI.

Description of the workshop: There will be an introductory discussion of the issues involved in incorporating DI recommendations into CPGs. Attendees will then be given an opportunity in small groups to assess the role of DI in a CPG for a common clinical condition. We will then hear reports from the groups, discuss how this has actually been done in some current CPGs and also discuss how the evidence should be graded.