Did the Authors Assess the Reliability of the Interpretation by Comparing Independent (Blinded) Readings?
Reliability is the extent to which repeated measurements of the same relatively stable phenomenon are reproducible. To ensure an assessment of the reliability of radiologists’ interpretation of SVCT results, this standard required separate blinded readings by more than one radiologist of the same SVCT films, with a calculation of the variability between those readings. Standard 4: Did the Authors Assess the Reliability of SVCT by Having Some Patients Undergo Repeated Testing With Comparisons of Both Tests? This standard required repeated SVCT of some of the patients by at least one additional examiner and blinding of the examiners to each other’s findings when interpreting the test results. Standard 5: Was the Selection Process Described in Sufficient Detail So That a Similar Group of Patients Could Be Assembled if the Study Were Repeated? Patients with suspected PE constitute a heterogeneous population, varying widely from those with severe underlying cardiopulmonary disease to otherw
