What is true about sensitivity in medical testing?

The concept of sensitivity in medical testing is crucial for understanding how effectively a test can identify a condition. Sensitivity specifically refers to the ability of a test to correctly detect individuals who have the disease, which is quantified as the percentage of true positive results among all those who actually have the condition. Therefore, when a test has high sensitivity, it indicates that it is good at identifying true cases, minimizing the likelihood of false negatives, where a disease is present but not detected by the test.

Understanding this definition clarifies why the statement that sensitivity indicates the percentage of true cases correctly identified is accurate. This aspect is fundamental in clinical practice, as it helps healthcare providers assess the reliability of a screening test or diagnostic tool in identifying patients who need further evaluation or treatment. High sensitivity is particularly essential in scenarios where missing a diagnosis could lead to severe consequences.