Open Access 01-06-2012 | Reviews
Chapter 3: Choosing the Important Outcomes for a Systematic Review of a Medical Test
Published in: Journal of General Internal Medicine | Special Issue 1/2012
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Consider both the outcomes that are relevant to the process of testing and those that are relevant to the results of the test.
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Consider inclusion of outcomes in all five domains: clinical management effects, direct test effects; emotional, social, cognitive and behavioral effects; legal and ethical effects, and costs.
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Consider to which group the outcomes of testing are most relevant.
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Given resource limitations, prioritize which outcomes to include. This decision depends on the needs of the stakeholder(s), who should be assisted in prioritizing the outcomes for inclusion.