We organise and are affiliated with a number of research evens which promote the understanding and knowledge of test evaluation and medical statistics.
CPD courses
- Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of diagnostic test accuracy
A 3-day course in partnership with the University of Amsterdam which has been running annually since 2014.
- Evaluating medical tests: How do we tell if this biomarker or diagnostic test is any good?
The course which launched in 2019 provides training and how to conduct primary studies that evaluate biomarkers and diagnostic tests.
Aimed at research teams who are developing diagnostic tests, this course covers the design, analysis and interpretations of primary studies.
If you wish to express interest in attending one of our courses in the future or have any queries about the courses, please email TERG@contacts.bham.ac.uk
Regular meetings and seminars
Every month, we hold a team meeting which services a dual purpose of providing methodological support to teams evaluating medical tests. Teams can reserve a one-hour slot to present their project and queries and provide round-table discussions on methodological solutions.
In association with the NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, we launched a Biomarker Club for University of Birmingham researchers who are actively involved in developing and/or evaluating diagnostic tests. These meetings aim to provide the opportunity to learn about test evaluation methods, share research challenges and network.
For further information about the TERG sessions or Biomarker Club, please contact TERG@contacts.bham.ac.uk
Conferences
In 2008, we launched the world’s first symposium focussed on methods for evaluating medical tests called `The Methods for Evaluating Medical prediction Models, Tests and Biomarkers’ (MEMTAB).
Online resources
Free materials for conducting reviews and meta–analyses of diagnostic test accuracy are available through Cochrane’s Screening and Diagnostic Test Methods group as training materials and the DTA handbook.