Presenter
Dr. James McCormack
BScPharm, PharmD
Professor, University of British Columbia
Session Information
Description
Develop a practical framework for clinicians to effectively interpret and apply lab results in patient care, considering the inherent limitations and variability of medical laboratory tests.
Attendees will learn about key sources of variability in lab measurements, including analytic, biologic, and systemic errors, and how these factors can influence clinical decisions. The concept of Reference Change Values (RCVs) will be highlighted as a tool to differentiate meaningful changes in serial test results from random variation.
Specific tests, such as liver function markers, cholesterol levels, and glucose measurements, are analyzed in detail to illustrate the challenges of measurement imprecision. The discussion emphasizes the need to evaluate patients holistically rather than relying solely on lab results. Attendees will also explore why routine testing in asymptomatic individuals may lead to overdiagnosis and unnecessary interventions.
Learning Objectives
- Develop a critical understanding of lab result variability and its implications for patient management.
- Learn how to assess the clinical relevance of test results, considering factors like RCVs and false-positive rates.
- Gain strategies for making evidence-based decisions about when and which tests to order, focusing on tests that directly influence clinical outcomes.