Summary and Discussion

In this thesis, I have addressed a broad range of issues in clinical assessment, and presented new methods for improving its efficiency and accuracy. In clinical practice, assessments are often performed for making decisions: for example, assessment may be aimed at deciding which treatment should be provided to a patient. By taking the decision for which assessment is performed into account, the accuracy and efficiency of assessment can often be improved (Cronbach & Gleser, 1965). Improving the efficiency and accuracy of clinical assessment is important, as it reduces the costs of assessment (i.e., shorter assessment length, less incorrect decisions).