Direct To Consumer Laboratory Testing (DAT)

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Historical Background “Direct to consumer laboratory testing also known as direct access testing (DAT), permits consumers to order laboratory tests directly from a laboratory without necessarily having to work with their healthcare provider” (AACC, 2015). As early as the 1950s the public was introduced to the concept of being directly involved in their healthcare, and this was accomplished with the availability of over the counter (OTC) urine glucose and ketone tests. Healthcare has shifted from being physician-focused to being consumer-focused, DAT is one manifestation of this shift and it has been steadily growing since its establishment in the 1950s. “The market for direct-to-consumer (DTC) health services continues to grow rapidly with …show more content…

It allows individuals to take charge of their health by directly corresponding with laboratories and removing physicians as the medium for this correspondence. ASCLS has generously provided certain criteria that must be met for the services offered by DAT and these include simple, easily understood and interpreted tests that do not require the go ahead from a physician. While the tests are usually waived and of screening and monitory purposes, it does not exclude them from legal consequences in the event of a negative outcome. Disclosures supplying adequate information will provide legal protection for the laboratories and its employees while simultaneously, enabling informed decisions to be made by consumers. The possibility of misinterpretation of results and subsequent anxiety and misdiagnosis is regrettably high; the benefits are, however, not outweighed, offering privacy, convenience, cost effectiveness and timely generation of results for consumers. It may appear as though physicians are being pushed into the shadows while laboratory professionals enter the spotlight but physicians should not disregard the possible opportunities offered, like collaboration with laboratories. The subject of accreditation undoubtedly becomes a main focus for laboratories, with the consideration that consumers will inevitably place their trust in a laboratory that has been deemed to meet international standards. Although accreditation is important and not to be lightly esteemed, the generation of quality service and accurate results is ultimately dependent on the medical technologist and the training received. The principle by which DAT operates introduces additional roles for the medical technologist and forces the implementation of exceptional training. Consistency and quality control become the rules

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