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The Cochrane Diagnostic Test Accuracy Working Group was constituted by the Steering Group of the Cochrane Collaboration to implement the publication of systematic reviews of diagnostic test accuracy within the Cochrane Collaboration.

In October 2007, during the Colloquium in Sao Paulo, the implementation of systematic reviews of diagnostic test accuracy was officially launched. 

The DTA working group are producing the Cochrane handbook for reviews of diagnostic test accuracy, developing tutorials for use in RevMan, contribute to the development of RevMan software, have worked with CRGs to develop the editorial process of these reviews and collaborate with all Cochrane entities as necessary to ensure the preparation and publication of good quality DTA reviews in The Cochrane Library.

Cochrane DTA Regional Support Units

To be able to give Cochrane Review Groups and authors all the support they may need, four Support Units will be founded. Two of these are already active: the UK Support Unit (UKSU) for Cochrane entities based in the UK and Ireland; and the Continental Europe Support Unit (CESU) for Cochrane entities based on mainland Europe.

Cochrane Diagnostic Test Accuracy Editorial Team

At the meeting of the Cochrane Collaboration Steering Group (CCSG) in October 2006 it was agreed that publication of Cochrane diagnostic test accuracy reviews (and protocols) in The Cochrane Library would require the approval of both the Cochrane Review Group (CRG) and a Diagnostic test accuracy editorial team (DTA ET). This would be implemented by requiring joint sign-off of protocols and reviews by a CRG Editor and a DTA Editor.

Related Cochrane entities

The Cochrane Diagnostic Test Accuracy Working Group (DTAWG) is closely related to the Screening and Diagnostic Test Methods Group (SDTMG), but the latter has a different function. Although the same people are involved in both, the SDTMG's focus is on research and quality control, while the DTAWG's focus is more on the practical implementation of diagnostic reviews within the Cochrane Library.