Laboratory testing in the office of family physicians

A survey of family physicians was carried out among members of the state academies of family practice and graduates of residency programs in Ohio and North Carolina. Results of the survey demonstrated both an increasing number of laboratories in the offices of all family physicians as well as in increasing variety of laboratory procedures offered. It was found that solo practitioners frequently perform laboratory work themselves, while group practitioners more often delegate laboratory work to other office staff, such as certified laboratory technicians or nurses. Quality control was offered in one-half of the private offices surveyed, and in three-quarters of the office that employed certified laboratory technicians. Results of this study suggest that the increasing number of family practice residency graduates may result in an increased demand for certified laboratory technicians in private office laboratories.