Accuracy, Sensitivity and Specificity

Sensitivity and specificity are one approach to quantifying the diagnostic ability of the test. In clinical practice, however, the test result is all that is known, so we want to know how good the test is at predicting abnormality. In other words, what proportion of patients with abnormal test results are truly abnormal?

- Altman and Bland: Diagnostic tests 1: sensitivity and specificity

Here is an educational review, where authors simply define and calculate the accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of a hypothetical diagnostic test.

• Simple Definition and Calculation of Accuracy, Sensitivity and Specificity