Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




New Method Determines Optimal Number of Pathologists Needed for Correct Disease Diagnosis

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 07 Feb 2022

A new method, named the Observers Needed for Evaluation of Subjective Tests (ONEST), has been developed to determine the optimal number of pathologists needed for a correct diagnosis. More...

The method developed by researchers at the Texas A&M University School of Public Health (College Station, TX, USA) could improve accuracy of disease diagnosis as pathology tests are mostly subjective, and even trained experts can disagree on results. The researchers developed a statistical framework to assess the performance of a diagnostic test with multiple observers. The proposed method includes an exploratory analysis, a statistical test of whether the observers’ agreement percentage will plateau to a non-zero value, and a statistical model to estimate the agreement percentage and the number of observers for reaching the plateau.

The method was applied in a non-small cell lung cancer example and a triple negative breast cancer example using reads of the immunohistochemical tests with SP142 and SP263 assays for expression of Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) to determine the number of observers needed for evaluation of the subjective tests. The proposed method can indicate whether adding more observers to a test causes the proportion of agreement to plateau. Cases where the curve does not plateau could indicate an unreliable test. In cases where the curve does flatten, the method indicates at least how many observers are needed to reach a stable and reliable estimation of their agreement.

Better understanding of how many observers are needed for optimal accuracy on a diagnostic test will help improve correct diagnosis, the right level of care and disease treatment. The researchers believe this method could be utilized by test creators and regulatory agencies to evaluate newly proposed subjective laboratory tests at different numbers of pathologists, which can ensure that the test will perform reliably in real-world settings.

Related Links:
Texas A&M University School of Public Health 


New
Gold Member
Hematology Analyzer
Medonic M32B
Portable Electronic Pipette
Mini 96
New
Gold Member
Cardiovascular Risk Test
Metabolic Syndrome Array I & II
New
Gold Member
Immunochromatographic Assay
CRYPTO Cassette
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: The study highlights the potential of cCAFs as a biomarker for early diagnosis and prognosis (H J Woo et al., Analytical Chemistry (2025). DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.5c02154)

Simultaneous Cell Isolation Technology Improves Cancer Diagnostic Accuracy

Accurate cancer diagnosis remains a challenge, as liquid biopsy techniques often fail to capture the complexity of tumor biology. Traditional systems for isolating circulating tumor cells (CTCs) vary in... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: New research points to protecting blood during radiation therapy (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Pioneering Model Measures Radiation Exposure in Blood for Precise Cancer Treatments

Scientists have long focused on protecting organs near tumors during radiotherapy, but blood — a vital, circulating tissue — has largely been excluded from dose calculations. Each blood cell passing through... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The VENTANA HER2 (4B5) test is now CE-IVDR approved (Photo courtesy of Roche)

Companion Diagnostic Test Identifies HER2-Ultralow Breast Cancer and Biliary Tract Cancer Patients

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Europe, with more than 564,000 new cases and 145,000 deaths annually. Metastatic breast cancer is rising in younger populations and remains the leading cause... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: Conceptual design of the CORAL capsule for microbial sampling in the small intestine (H. Mohammed et al., Device (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.device.2025.100904)

Coral-Inspired Capsule Samples Hidden Bacteria from Small Intestine

The gut microbiome has been linked to conditions ranging from immune disorders to mental health, yet conventional stool tests often fail to capture bacterial populations in the small intestine.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.