The interview was going well until at the academic station the interviewer asked: "Can you tell me what you understand by the power of a trial and what was the sensitivity of the test used in this study?" A bead of sweat appeared on the forehead of the applicant. If only she'd listened to Rob Radcliffe explaining binary tests, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and power she wouldn't have to come back next year and try again!
These terms are in regular use in medical studies, tests and trials. They are often very poorly explained and even less well understood. Rob takes you though binary tests and power in a step by step manner which is easy to understand. You will not find this more clearly explained anywhere else. This video podcast will help you to understand and critique research and help you to design your own studies. Watch this and you will need all you ever need to know.
Rob Radcliffe is a former teacher of mathematics and is now a trainee in the School of Surgery in the East Midlands, UK.