EBM and Decision Tools by Alan Schwartz

Tools

• Diagnostic Test Calculator - Given a 2x2 table (or prevalence/sens/spec or prevalence/LRs), compute everything else, including confidence intervals and optionally the impact of the test on action thresholds, and display a graphical nomogram. The Perl source code for the calculator is available under an open source software license.
• NNT/NNH Calculator - Given information about probability of an event under control and experimental treatment, calculate risk increase/decrease and number needed to treat or harm, including confidence intervals.

Exercises

• Diagnostic Test Cutoffs - A graphical demonstration of the effect of changing cutoff scores on sensitivity and specificity of a test.
• Statistical Testing Thresholds - A graphical demonstration like the above, but written in terms of statistical test theory (type I and II error)
• Diagnostic test exercise - Test your knowledge about properties of diagnostic tests.
• Utility Assessment - Assess your utility for an health state using standard gamble, time tradeoff, and rating scale techniques.
• Multi-attribute Utility Assessment - Assess the utility of pain killers using multiple attributes, weighted by importance. Demonstrates the SMARTER system of MAUT.
• Markov model simulation - Simulates a simple hypothetical markov model for diabetes.
• Cost-effectiveness perspectives exercise - Perform some analyses of the cost-effectiveness of different breast cancer screening and treatment policies.