Top tips: Diagnostic tests - what should you do differently in 2025?
20 Nov 2025
RVC Clinical Theatre 2
Internal Medicine
This lecture will focus on whether we should offer certain rather popular and unpopular diagnostic tests in our clinics, whether we should practice routine blood screening pre-GA, in the middle aged or elderly, as well as the utility of certain other tests, like those screenings for pancreatitis and screening for hormonal disease. After the lecture, delegates should feel comfortable they are offering the right testing strategy to their clients.
Be able to understand that screening for disease is only justified when 4 specific conditions are met:
- Prevalence should be high – Disease is common in the population tested.
- The disease may be occult - It can exist without obvious clinical signs.
- Tests are accurate – Sensitivity and specificity are high enough to minimize errors.
- Treatment is effective – Early intervention leads to better outcomes.
- Be cognoscent of the fact that screening without having met the above criteria can lead to patient harm, owner distrust, distrust in the profession, inappropriate use of client's funds, false sense of security
- Several examples of diagnostics tests will be discussed in this light
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