Related Experiment Videos
Abstract:
Pathologists are little known to the public. In a day when each dollar for health care is so closely scrutinized, such a lack of understanding may lead to lack of support for our profession. Early this year, outpatients at the Milwaukee County Medical Complex in Wisconsin answered questions concerning laboratory tests, medical laboratories, and pathologists. The results revealed a severe lack of knowledge about pathologist functions, and, according to the authors, illustrates well the need for patient and public education about medical laboratory services. The results of the survey presented here were used in creating an educational videofilm, prepared within the Department of Pathology of the Medical College of Wisconsin, which was shown during the recent National Medical Laboratory Week in the same outpatient laboratory where the polling occurred.
Insights
Public understanding of pathologists and laboratory services is critically low. Patient education initiatives are needed to highlight the essential role of pathologists in healthcare, especially during National Medical Laboratory Week.
Area of Science:
- Medical education and public health awareness.
- Pathology and laboratory medicine.
Background:
- Pathologists are largely unknown to the general public.
- Lack of public understanding may impact support for the pathology profession.
- Healthcare cost scrutiny necessitates clear communication of value.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess public knowledge of pathologists and laboratory services.
- To identify the need for patient and public education in medical laboratory services.
Main Methods:
- Survey administered to outpatients at Milwaukee County Medical Complex.
- Questions focused on laboratory tests, medical laboratories, and pathologists' functions.
- Results informed the creation of an educational videofilm.
Main Results:
- Survey revealed a severe lack of public knowledge regarding pathologist functions.
- Findings underscore a significant gap in patient understanding of medical laboratory services.
Conclusions:
- There is a clear need for enhanced patient and public education about pathology.
- An educational videofilm was developed based on survey results.
- Initiatives like National Medical Laboratory Week can be leveraged for public outreach.