Abstract
BackgroundStrengthening the communication and professional relationships between clinicians and laboratory workers is essential in order to positively change clinicians’ attitudes about the reliability of diagnostic tests, enhancing the use of laboratory diagnostics and, ultimately, improving patient care. We developed an analytical framework to gain insight into the factors that influence communication amongst health professionals.ObjectiveTo explore whether the interaction between clinicians and laboratory workers influences the use of laboratory test results in clinical decision making.MethodsFour health facilities in northern Tanzania were selected using convenience sampling, whereas study participants were selected using purposive sampling. The quantitative and qualitative data collection methods included self-administered questionnaires; semi-structured, individual interviews; in-depth, individual interviews; and/or focus group discussions with clinicians and laboratory workers. Thematic content analyses were performed on qualitative data based on the framework. Descriptive statistical analyses of quantitative data were conducted using Microsoft Excel.ResultsContact between clinicians and laboratory professionals is seldom institutionalised and collaboration is rare. The clinicians believe collaboration with laboratory staff is a challenge because of the gap in education levels. Laboratory workers’ education levels are often lower than their positions require, leading to clinicians’ lack of respect for and confidence in laboratory professionals, which compromises the laboratory staff’s motivation.ConclusionsHospital managers, clinicians and laboratory workers need to recognise the critical and complementary roles each professional plays and the importance of addressing the gap between them. Field application of the framework proved successful, justifying the expansion of this study to a larger geographical area to include additional healthcare institutions.
Highlights
Medical laboratories play a significant role in the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of diseases; yet the efficacy of the information they provide may be questioned because of several factors, including the capacity of the laboratory workforce, the laboratory infrastructure and the availability of equipment and materials, especially in low-income countries
The results of this study provide information on the importance of the interface between clinicians and laboratory workers and may form a basis for larger studies in the future
35 questionnaires were administered to 18 clinicians and 17 laboratory staff members, an estimated one-third of the official staff number, according to the heads of departments
Summary
Medical laboratories play a significant role in the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of diseases; yet the efficacy of the information they provide may be questioned because of several factors, including the capacity of the laboratory workforce, the laboratory infrastructure and the availability of equipment and materials, especially in low-income countries. The communication and interactions between laboratory and clinical health workers can influence physicians’ request behaviour and treatment interventions. Previous studies have shown that lack of communication is a barrier to effective healthcare.[5,6,7,8,9] Improved communication between clinicians and laboratory workers is essential to changing clinicians’ attitudes about the reliability of diagnostic tests, possibly leading to increased use of laboratory diagnostics and, improving patient care.[5]. Strengthening the communication and professional relationships between clinicians and laboratory workers is essential in order to positively change clinicians’ attitudes about the reliability of diagnostic tests, enhancing the use of laboratory diagnostics and, improving patient care. We developed an analytical framework to gain insight into the factors that influence communication amongst health professionals
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