Translating Laboratory Tests into Clinical Practice: A Conceptual Framework

AbstractThe use of laboratory biomarkers in clinical practice is rapidly increasing. Laboratory tests are, however, rarely evaluated adequately before implementation, and the utility of many tests is essentially unclear. An important reason for this knowledge gap is that a comprehensive and generally accepted methodological framework supporting evaluation studies is essentially lacking. Researchers, clinicians, and decision-makers are often not aware of the methodological tools available and face problems with the appraisal of a test's utility. With the present article, I aim to summarize current concepts and me…