Like many areas in medicine, clinical laboratory or pathology testing often provides few simple answers to commonly asked questions. The issues - on reliability of the tests and reference ranges - can be very complex. While we can't offer the kinds of short, easy answers that we seem to be accustomed to in this information age, we have attempted, in the following articles, to break down the issues in a way that will help you to ask the appropriate questions of your doctor.

Reference ranges and what they mean
Test results are usually interpreted based on their relation to a reference range. This article helps to explain what a reference range is, what it isn't, and what is needed to interpret test results and references ranges.

How reliable is laboratory testing?
Laboratory tests drive a large part of the clinical decisions our doctors make about our health, from diagnosis through to therapy, care plans, and prognosis. Given the crucial role that pathology test reports play in medical decision-making, we set out to help you understand the key concepts and practices that are involved in making laboratory tests reliable.

Home testing
Health care consumers continue to seek better monitoring of their health and more convenience, particularly if they have a chronic condition or are elderly. The home testing market is growing rapidly. The home testing link provides a glimpse at the market and the opportunities as well as the trade offs.

Coping with test pain, discomfort, and anxiety
Nobody particularly enjoys having their blood taken or having to provide a urine or stool sample, but a pathology test conducted on a small sample collected from your body can give your doctor information that can help save or improve the management of your health. This series of articles has some tips on how to approach the experience more positively and with less stress. Other titles in the series include Common tests, Tips on blood testing, Tips to help children through their pathology tests, and Tips to help the elderly through their pathology tests.

Genetic testing
An increasing number of genetic tests are becoming available as a result of recent and rapid advances in biomedical research. It has been said that genetic testing may revolutionise the way many diseases are diagnosed. But genetic testing does not just help a physician diagnose disease. This article discusses genetic testing and the different reasons genetic tests are performed.

Correct patient identification
Confirm your identity before collection of any specimen for laboratory testing. Have you been asked for your full name and date of birth? Remember this is for your own safety.