What is the purpose of the Minimum Detectable Change (MDC)?

The Minimum Detectable Change (MDC) serves a specific purpose in the context of measurement and assessment in clinical practice. It quantifies the smallest amount of change in a measurement that can be considered statistically significant, allowing practitioners to determine whether observed changes in a patient's condition or status are genuinely meaningful, rather than a result of measurement error or variability.

By establishing a threshold for change that transcends normal measurement fluctuations, the MDC enables healthcare providers to make informed decisions about the effectiveness of interventions or therapies. Therefore, when the change exceeds the MDC, it is likely that an actual change in the patient's condition has occurred, which can have important implications for treatment planning and future assessments.