Topic: Screening Disease and Reliability
Prompt: Cataracts of the eye may be difficult to diagnose in the early stages. In a study to evaluate the reliability of their diagnoses, two physicians each examined the same 1,000 eyes, without knowing the other’s diagnoses. Each physician found 100 eyes with cataracts.
1. Does this mean that the diagnoses are reliable?
2. Explain your position.
3. How does reliability affect screening and treatment programs for a condition?
4. What are the socio-political ramifications of understanding reliability prior to implementing a screening program?