| Description |
Clinical Microbiology Laboratories need to provide instructional materials for the health care team in the areas of specimen collection, test ordering and test interpretation. Instructions covering these topics are necessary for optimal use of the laboratory services since the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory is not directly involved in these areas. The purpose of this thesis was first to assess the availability, nature and adequacy of instructional materials used by Clinical Microbiology Laboratories to educate the health care team. Second, a concise, comprehensive manual regarding the use of Clinical Microbiology Laboratory services was developed. In an attempt to assess the existing instructional materials, two questionnaires were designed and administered to physicians throughout the United States. Two physician populations were studied. The ‘expert’ population consisting of 544 individuals were either physicians trained in Infectious Disease or Directors of Clinical Microbiology Laboratories. The ‘user’ population of 750 individuals were physicians not trained in subspecialties related to Clinical Microbiology. Response rates of 54.3 percent and 19.6 percent, respectively, were obtained. From the questionnaire, it was determined that instructional materials regarding Clinical Microbiology were available to the majority of the physicians. However, most of the materials were incomplete. No single subject area, not even specimen collection, was presented in all of the instructional materials. The majority were deficient in the coverage of test ordering and test interpretation of the results. Most Clinical Microbiology Laboratories provided their instructions in an ‘in-house’ prepared manual. This was usually made in pocket size. The information regarding Clinical Microbiology was most often contained in a manual covering procedures for the entire Clinical Laboratories and in some cases, all hospital procedures. Nearly one-half of the physicians with instructional materials were not satisfied with them. The reason most often cited was that the materials were not extensive enough. The conclusion that can be drawn from the questionnaire survey is that most Clinical Microbiology Laboratories are not fulfilling the educational needs of physicians in the area of the use of Clinical Microbiology services. Even when a manual of instructions exists, the material is incomplete, inaccessible and therefore inadequate. A manual that attempts to correct the deficiencies of existing instructional materials, related to the use of Clinical Microbiology Laboratory services, was developed. The content and format were determined utilizing the assessment study, published literature and consultation with experts in Clinical Microbiology. The manual discusses completely and concisely all aspects of test ordering, specimen collection and transport and interpretation of test results. The manual was designed to make it easy to use, can be made readily available in patient care areas and is directed toward the entire health care team. This manual, by being made available in patient care areas, should assist in assuring that optimal use of Clinical Microbiology Laboratory services will occur. |
