The Importance of considering single Testing When Two Tests Are Available

Abstract

When considering two dichotomous tests in combination for reaching a treatment decision, the choice between single and multiple testing depends, in part, on the pretest probability of disease. The authors show that two tests are never preferred to a single test for all disease probabilities, regardless of whether the two tests are performed in parallel or in series. Key words: decision analytic model; tests with dichotomous outcomes; parallel testing; series testing. (Med Decis Making 7:212-219, 1987)