[Pathology also subject to RCTs].
Pathology is a diagnostic field and pathologists do not treat patients. It would at first seem that randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are not an option in this field. However, pathology is often the gold standard for diagnostics in RCTs and guidelines. With the arrival of new techniques in pathology diagnostics, particularly molecular techniques, it seems that more objective data can be collected. An RCT recently studied the effect of an electronic reminder for further diagnostics of Lynch syndrome, a hereditary disorder that the pathologist can detect by testing microsatellite instability. Studies to make pathology reporting more evidence-based are also very likely. Even the role of pathology in the diagnosis and treatment of patients needs to be made more verifiable.
Blaauwgeers
J L G Hans
JL
Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, afd. Pathologie, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. hansblaauwgeers@pathology.nl
D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D053842:Microsatellite Instability; D010336:Pathology / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic