Bayesian Biostatistics and Diagnostic Medicine

Bayesian approaches, which combine diverse data with any prior information available from expert knowledge, have become very popular in diagnostic medicine, especially in clinical studies. Broemeling (medicine, U. of Texas) gives those who wish to apply the approach to their practice and research an introduction to basic techniques specifically as they relate to medicine, covering diagnostic medicine and other diagnostic procedures, Bayesian statistics, Bayesian methods for diagnostic accuracy, regression and test accuracy, agreement, diagnostic imaging, clinical trials and other applications, such as imperfect diagnosis test procedures or periodic screening. Each topic includes a wide range of examples and applications, and Broemeling makes sure the statistically-inclined understand the application to medicine and those more inclined toward medicine understand the statistics and how they are used correctly. Annotation c2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)