Methods

In this well-done systematic review meta-analysis, Rolfe and colleagues searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of patient populations with clinical features that indicated they were unlikely to have a serious disease. The studies selected each had a group of patients randomised for diagnostic testing and a group that was not tested during the study. The outcome measure was patients’ reassurance, which included illness concern, anxiety, change in the original symptoms and subsequent doctor visits. The search strategy was targeted towards initial diagnostic tests in primary or secondary care for …