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Table 1 Clinical pathway descriptors in Cochrane reviews (n = 33)

From: Defining the clinical pathway in cochrane diagnostic test accuracy reviews

Clinical Pathway Descriptors

Ever reported in any section (%)

1 Target condition

 

1.1 Is the target condition defined?

33 (100)

1.2 Are subcategories of the target condition defined?

21 (64)

1.3 Are the following aspects defined:

 

 frequency

29 (89)

 severity

26 (80)

 prognosis

24 (74)

 possible treatment

29 (89)

1.4 Is the relevance of the target condition explained in terms of downstream consequences?

24 (74)

2 Index test

 

2.1 Is the purpose of the index test defined?

33 (100)

2.2 Is the role of the index test defined?

19 (57)

2.3 Are test variations included?

15 (46)

2.4 Are test specifications defined?

16 (49)

3 Clinical pathway

 

3.1 Is the existing pathway of patients defined as:

 

 how patients might present?

23 (69)

 the point in the pathway where the index test might be considered

26 (80)

3.2 Are prior tests identified according to:

 

 clinical history and examination

27 (83)

 healthcare setting

22 (66)

3.3 Is the patient or population receiving the index test identified according to:

 

 Clinical Pathway Descriptors

Ever reported in any section (%)

 stage or disease severity

16 (49)

 age

12 (37)

 gender

12 (37)

 has the patient received single or multiple assessments prior to index testing

21 (63)

3.4 Are alternative tests described

27 (83)

3.5 Is it explicit how the index test/strategy compares to the existing test/strategy? Items to consider are:

 

 are existing tests described

20 (60)

 is it clear if the existing test is current practice and/or reference standard

19 (57)

3.6 Is the impact of the index test on downstream clinical management action(s) explicit?

17 (51)

3.7 Is it explicit how index test/strategy when compared to current practice affects downstream outcomes?

17 (51)

3.8 Are the downstream consequences differentially described according to the 4 test accuracy categories (TP, TN,FP, FN) as follows:

 

 TP : is there effective treatment or further testing needed?

14 (43)

 TN: re-testing, FU and/or intervals

9 (26)

 FP: consequences to this group

9 (26)

 FN: consequences to this group

8 (23)

  1. Normal font refer to existing Cochrane criteria in the Cochrane DTA Handbooks; italics refer to additional descriptors included by us