Volume 38 Number 4 | August 2024
Victoria Roop, MLS(ASCP)CM, ASCLS Today Volunteer Contributor
As most laboratory professionals know, medical laboratory science is a specific educational pathway in the medical field, where trained, certified personnel perform scientific testing on patient samples using highly complex, sophisticated instrumentation and report the findings to the physicians. The laboratory data plays a vital role in identifying and monitoring treatment for life-threatening diseases, cancer, neurological conditions, heart disease, diabetes, anemia, and even HIV/Aids.1
Laboratory testing monitors chronic disease and screens for risk factors of these diseases. It is the responsibility of laboratory professionals to share this knowledge with the public and educate patients on the importance of laboratory services. Patient engagement with the laboratory is key to preventing, treating, and monitoring chronic diseases, which require ongoing medical attention and may limit a patient’s daily activities.2 Chronic diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States.2
Current society wants more. They want faster, more convenient, and reliable options for their healthcare needs. That is why society is seeing an increase in mobile buses, kiosks, and outreach outpatient programs. Patients are having a more active involvement in their treatment plans. If the laboratory services do not want to fall behind, laboratory professionals must follow suit. The laboratory must look at patients as consumers. It is no longer enough for providers to select and recommend a specific laboratory test to a patient.2 Patients want to have the autonomy to choose their own labs.
“Current society wants more. They want faster, more convenient, and reliable options for their healthcare needs. That is why society is seeing an increase in mobile buses, kiosks, and outreach outpatient programs.”
Laboratory professionals have the opportunity to create outreach programs. Factors to take into consideration are location, hours of operation, affordability, and access to results.2 If laboratory services give patients what they want, the people will continue to come back for the services. So, what would it look like for patients to download an app connected to the laboratory where the patient can select to order a thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) to screen for thyroid problems or check their hemoglobin A1C to screen or monitor their diabetes. Imagine if patients had the ability to come to an outpatient laboratory or a laboratory drive-thru without a doctor’s visit and without limitations to the results they want to know.
An approach to this is to consider attaching laboratory testing to national health promotions. For example, March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. The laboratory can use that to promote the importance of colon cancer screening tests like the fecal immunochemical test or Cologuard. Laboratory professionals can take these screening tests out into the community at local churches, YMCAs, schools, and nursing homes. Other events to consider are in January for Cervical Health Awareness Month to promote HPV testing and PAP smears, February for American Heart Month for lipid testing, and PSA screening tests in September for Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.2 The ideas are endless!
The most successful laboratory outreach programs are the ones that serve not only the community but can be multi-faceted to continue to serve providers, hospitals, and outpatient clinics in addition to direct consumer care. If laboratory professionals use their resources like they did during the pandemic, anything is possible!
References
- M. C. C. of M. and S. Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Medical laboratory scientist – explore health care careers – mayo clinic college of medicine & science. Medical Laboratory Scientist (2023), (available at https://college.mayo.edu/academics/explore-healthcare-careers/careers-a-z/medical-laboratory-scientist/).
- Hermansen, J. The expanding reach of the Laboratory Outreach Program. The Expanding Reach of the Laboratory Outreach Program (2024). Available at: https://news.mayocliniclabs.com/2024/04/22/the-expanding-reach-of-the-laboratory-outreach-program/. (Accessed: 30th May 2024)
Victoria Roop is the Laboratory Manager at Door County Medical Center in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.