DIAGNOSTIC SUSPICION BIAS:

A knowledge an individual’s prior exposure to a putative cause (such as ethnicity, taking a certain drug, comorbidity, being exposed in an epidemic etc.) may influence both the intensity and the outcome of the diagnostic process¹. This bias may manifest as a Selection Bias in the context of a research study, if firm, hard, or objective criteria for inclusion and exclusion of participants are not defined, and followed at the start of a study. This bias may manifest as an Information Bias if procedures used for the measurement of the outcome, disease, or exposure are not defined and followed as well. Also see: Clinical Review Bias, Exposure Suspicion Bias, Selection Bias, and Information Bias.

Reference:

1. Sackett DL. Bias in analytic research. J Chronic Dis. 1979;32 (1-2):51-63. (Link to Reference)