False negative

False Negative

False negative (/fɔːls ˈnɛɡətɪv/) is a term used in medical testing and statistics to describe a situation where a test result incorrectly indicates the absence of a condition (such as a disease in a patient) when in reality, it is present.

Etymology

The term "false negative" is derived from the words "false", which means not true or incorrect, and "negative", which in this context, refers to the absence of a particular condition or disease. It is used in contrast to the term false positive, which refers to a test result that incorrectly indicates the presence of a condition when it is not present.

Definition

A false negative result is a type of error that occurs when a diagnostic test fails to detect the presence of a disease or condition that is actually present in the individual being tested. This can occur due to a variety of reasons, such as limitations in the sensitivity of the test, improper testing procedures, or the stage of the disease at the time of testing.

Related Terms

Sensitivity: This refers to the ability of a test to correctly identify those with the disease.
Specificity: This refers to the ability of a test to correctly identify those without the disease.
False positive: This is the opposite of a false negative, where a test result incorrectly indicates the presence of a condition when it is not present.
Type I and type II errors: These are terms used in statistics to describe the two types of incorrect conclusions that can be drawn from a test. A Type I error is a false positive, while a Type II error is a false negative.

Impact

The impact of a false negative can be significant, particularly in the field of medicine. It can lead to delayed treatment or even misdiagnosis, which can have serious consequences for the patient. Therefore, it is crucial to strive for high sensitivity in medical testing to minimize the occurrence of false negatives.