Explain the contribution
Pathology contributes to screening, prevention, diagnosis and monitoring. Explaining these contributions clearly is more useful than treating a single percentage as a complete measure of the profession's value.
Be clear about what is measured
Diagnoses, clinical decisions, guideline recommendations and encounters in which a laboratory test is ordered are different measures. They should not be used interchangeably.
The evidence note does not establish that exactly 70% of all diagnoses in Australia or New Zealand depend on pathology. It describes the contribution of testing as varying with the specialty, patient population, healthcare setting and definition used.
A more useful message
Pathology testing makes an essential contribution to a substantial but highly variable proportion of diagnostic and management decisions.
The proportion depends on the clinical specialty, patient population, healthcare setting and definition of reliance. A universal 70% estimate is not established by the evidence note.
Communicate with sound evidence
- Check the original studies and the wording of any quoted claims.
- Describe the population, setting and outcome being measured.
- Distinguish observed outcomes from estimates and advocacy messages.