The consistency and validity of analysis and interpretation was assessed by having five randomly selected interview transcripts independently coded by two experienced qualitative researchers.
The doctor's interpretation was assessed by the imperfect but pragmatic approach of comparing the doctor's notation on the imaging requisition to the ideal method of interpretation made by the investigators' steering committee.
Therefore, to decrease the chance of false-positive interpretations, the slides were assessed by polarized light microscopy in order to qualitatively evaluate the collagen fiber insertions of the vertebral endplate.
The number of segments with persistent or exercise-induced perfusion defects were assessed by visual interpretation.
The mock cases were assessed by eight ROs following the stepwise interpretation approach currently in use at the NFI.
Determination of MICs to colistin and fosfomycin were assessed by the Etest method (bioMérieux, Marcy l'Étoile, France), while, the interpretation was in accordance with the CLSI breakpoints [ 21].
Fourth, the lung specimens were assessed by one pulmonary pathologist only and so the possibility of individual interpretation bias should be considered.
Spleen samples were assessed by immunohistochemical staining.
Statistical differences were assessed by t Student.
