Comments on: Interpreting lab tests

By: Jan Krouwer

Jan Krouwer — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 10:20:22 +0000

I wonder how often doctors question whether the test is correct (lab error), which can be considered as an interpretation. There is a well known case, where a woman was treated for trophoblastic carcinoma (chemotherapy, hysterectomy, partial removal of one lung) on the basis of elevated hCG results (45 tests in all). Finally, lab error was suspected and confirmed (there was an interference in the assay). Is there data on physician requests for repeat testing?

By: Hildy

Hildy — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 07:24:17 +0000

During my last year of medical school, the head of chemical pathology at my hospital ran a series of small group tutorials on interpreting lab tests. Absolute gold in terms of recognising pitfalls (the normal abnormal, the abnormal normal, etc).

By: Denis Benjamin

Denis Benjamin — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 03:57:02 +0000

As a pediatirc and clinical pathologist, who has devoted an entire career to helping clinicians at all levels of training and experience interpret laboratory results and utilize the laboratory effectively, I was surprised that only 18% had little clue what they were ordering. My standard mantra to medical students and junior faculty is that ‘ordering a laboratory test is like picking your nose in public. You better know what you are going to d with the result.’

By: DermDoc

DermDoc — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 02:25:28 +0000

Great post. And thank you S Bjorklund for the ARUP consult link. I looked at the immunobullous skin disease algorithm; it’s quite good.

By: S Bjorklund

S Bjorklund — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 20:26:59 +0000

DB – Thank you for recognizing the importance of lab-test interpretation.

This is a problem that is not new and even some veteran physicians, not just juniors, have difficulties interpreting tests and especially staying current on new tests with all that’s on their plate.

ARUP Laboratories in SLC, Utah recognized this ever-growing problem and created this free online resource to physicians called ARUP Consult – The Physician’s Guide to Laboratory Test Selection and Interpretation. http://www.arupconsult.com

This powerful tool provides point-of-care lab-test selection and interpretation, algorithms, links to PubMed and concise diagnostic advice.

I hope this helps you with empowering your students and residents with great lab-test information and interpretation to better their patient care… which is our ultimate goal.

By: Louis Cornacchia, M.D.

Louis Cornacchia, M.D. — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 19:00:32 +0000

I think you are absolute correct.
I think that this type of learning should occur on the job.
CME should be tailored so that it occurs as needed and is tied to specific areas that the doctor needs to improve