When an individual has a test result indicating they do not have a disease they actually have, this is termed what?

The scenario described involves a situation where an individual receives a test result indicating they do not have a disease, while in reality, they do. This outcome is referred to as a false negative.

A false negative occurs when a diagnostic test fails to detect a condition that is actually present. In the context of medical testing, this can lead to significant consequences, as patients may not receive necessary treatment or further evaluation due to the incorrect assumption that they are disease-free. The recognition of false negatives is critical in ensuring accurate diagnoses and improving patient outcomes by prompting the need for follow-up testing or additional diagnostic strategies to confirm the presence of a disease.

In contrast, a true positive would indicate that a test correctly identified the presence of a disease. A false positive would suggest that a test incorrectly indicated the presence of a disease in someone who is actually healthy. Finally, a true negative confirms that the test correctly determined the absence of the disease in a healthy individual. Understanding these concepts is essential for interpreting test results and managing patient care effectively.