Table 2 Improved diagnostic decision making
From: Use of handheld computers in clinical practice: a systematic review
Diagnostic decision assessed | Percentage of episodes with PDA (n/n) | Percentage of episodes without PDA (n/n) | Percentage absolute difference (95% CI) | Number needed to test/ screen | P Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Appropriate diagnostic strategy for pulmonary embolism [17] | 55% 378/694 | 26% 245/951 | 29% | 4 | 0.023 |
Adherence to recommended diagnostic testing [17] | 41% 287/694 | 17% 162/951 | 24% (20-29) | 5 | 0.030 |
Appropriate referral for cardiac stress testing at presentation [18] | 49% 18/37 | 29% 8/28 | 20% | 5 | 0.284 |
Appropriate referral for nuclear cardiology after cardiac stress testing [18] | 63% 17/27 | 45% 5/11 | 18% (14-50) | 6 | 0.4 |
Appropriate obesity-related diagnosis [19] | 11% 91/807 | 1% 10/997 | 10% (8-13) | 10 | <0.05 |
Missed obesity-related diagnosis [19] | 25% 51/208 | 67% 440/662 | 42% (35-48) | 3 | <0.05 |