Integration of the CLS doctorate into the healthcare organization.
OBJECTIVE
A review of how the doctorally prepared CLS fits into the healthcare organization.


METHODS
Literature review.


BACKGROUND
Numerous national studies have called for a reshaping of the health care delivery system and the need to improve patient outcomes. Because of unprecedented advances in laboratory related technology as well as the need for economic retrenchment strategies in health care, with its significant influence on patient care, the laboratory has become the subject of intensive study. It has been concluded that the traditional organizational structure of the laboratory information process and the required personnel skills both need rethinking. In order to foster change in the laboratory, an advanced degreed CLS laboratory professional is needed, one already equipped with a broad scientific base developed via a baccalaureate/masters level of education.


CONCLUSIONS
With the addition of advanced technical expertise, basic medical skills, data interpretation skills and patient interaction abilities, and medical research experience, this laboratory professional can enhance the effective and efficient use of laboratory information and ultimately improve patient care. The clinical doctorates in CLS are educationally and experientially prepared to recommend support and enhance appropriate testing. They translate and transform complex laboratory data into an understandable product necessary for clinicians to be able to assess the validity of current and new assays to ensure better patient care. In addition, they assist in reducing questionable test usage, thereby reducing costs for both the patient and the laboratory.
Montoya
Isaac
I
College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77027, USA. imontoya@affiliatedsystems.com
Kimball
Olive
O
D004500:Education, Graduate; D006801:Humans; D017056:Medical Laboratory Personnel / Q000193:education* / Q000458:organization & administration; D013677:Medical Laboratory Science / Q000193:education* / Q000458:organization & administration; D010338:Pathology, Clinical / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration