It's time to put diagnostic tests to the testAugust 11, 2022All too often, companies develop and promote diagnostic tests in the veterinary field with no reasonable evidence that using them will benefit patients. Given the lack of meaningful regulation in this area, completely useless tests based on pseudoscience are freely sold to vets and pet owners. Even tests that work as claimed may become widespread well before there is evidence to believe their use will improve patient outcomes.
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VPN Plus+ ExclusiveDiagnostic tests: the good, the bad, and the uglyOctober 7, 2021By Brennen McKenzie, MA, MSc, VMD, cVMADiagnostic testing is not an oracle, which we consult blindly in the hope of replacing confusion with wisdom. It is a targeted process of collecting and evaluating specific information in the context of our existing understanding, and altering that understanding incrementally to better approximate reality and inform our actions.
Why do we run diagnostic tests?February 7, 2018The purpose of any diagnostic test should be to improve the outcome for our patients. Tests should be selected so that they give us information that leads to reduced morbidity and mortality. Testing has risks, as well as benefits, so if the results of a test will not meaningfully affect our clinical decisions or the wellbeing of our patients, then it should not be run.
