Any evidence will depend upon the test, the outcome measure and the
population studied.
Whether testing is valuable or otherwise will, therefore, depend upon the
time in the medical decision tree that it is applied.
If applied early in the process a test of exclusion is more powerful and,
therefore, more valuable while later it becomes the tests of inclusion that
yield positive benefits.
Obviously one expects much greater volume of tests applied in the early
steps than in the later ones.
Perhaps the problem is less whether we are performing too many tests, rather
whether the tests undertaken are suitable for the stage in the process at
which they are being applied.
Trevor Tickner,
Norwich
-----Original Message-----
From: Mohammad Al-Jubouri [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 15 January 2003 11:40
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Mass production of tests
Dear All
The relentless rise in workload generates a phenomenal
2 million tests per year in a DGH biochemistry
laboratory alone. This relentless rise in workload is
seen across the board by all pathology specialities.
The crucial question is: has this resulted in improved
patient's outcome? Are there any studies that can
provide evidence for this? Is anybody/organisation
(NICE-like) is looking at this phenomenon? Are we
adequately resourced to provide such huge number of
tests? Who is going to put a halt on this unhealthy
phenomenon that is draining our manpower/financial
resources?
Open for debate please.
Mohammad
=====
Dr. M A Al-Jubouri
Consultant Chemical Pathologist
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