How to request a test: A clinician’s guide to the interpretation and evaluation of medical tests

Capture the confidence to order and interpret diagnostic tests with How to request a test: A clinician’s guide to the interpretation and evaluation of medical tests by Tom Boyles. This practical manual speaks directly to busy clinicians, GPs, nurse practitioners and hospital teams who must translate symptoms into smart, evidence-based testing decisions.

Inside, clear, real-world guidance walks you through choosing the right laboratory and point-of-care tests, understanding sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and likelihood ratios, and applying pre-test probability and Bayesian thinking at the bedside. Concise case examples and decision-focused explanations make complex statistical concepts immediately usable in primary care, emergency departments and specialty clinics across the UK, US, Canada, Australia and beyond.

You’ll learn how to minimise unnecessary investigations, reduce diagnostic delay, communicate results effectively with patients, and balance cost-effectiveness with clinical safety. The book emphasises practical steps for accurate sample collection, interpreting borderline results, and integrating laboratory data with clinical judgement — skills that improve outcomes and streamline care pathways.

Whether you’re a trainee or an experienced practitioner, this clinician’s guide elevates your diagnostic toolkit and boosts confidence in everyday decision-making. Practical, up-to-date and written in an accessible professional tone, it’s an essential reference for anyone ordering or evaluating medical tests.

Add How to request a test by Tom Boyles to your clinical library today — equip your practice with the clarity and confidence to request, interpret and act on diagnostic tests with precision.

Note: eBooks do not include supplementary materials such as CDs, access codes, etc.