title: Quality of pathology services: new strategic directions required.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this paper is to discuss the challenges faced in Australia to maintain and sustain quality in pathology services, and present new strategic directions to address such challenges.
  
  
  METHODS
  The paper is a review of the literature on pathology services and its quality of delivery and emerging issues.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Major issues are emerging in pathology services which threaten to impact on the quality of future service delivery. These issues include workforce shortages, growth in inappropriate testing, advancing technology, rural and remote region servicing, and a negative image of the sector. New strategic directions are shown to be necessary in terms of workforce planning and addressing the escalation of new technology and innovation. In order to sustain quality of services, a significant change from current practice is recommended, with strong leadership as the change driver.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This paper highlights the potential impact of emerging issues on future pathology-service quality. Significant implications for service delivery and patient care quality are reviewed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This paper provides valuable information on current strategic and planning issues impacting on pathology services. It provides new solutions from the perspective of leadership of health and health services.
authors.affiliation: School of Health, University of New England, Armidale, Australia. gisouard@une.edu.au
authors.forename: Godfrey
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Isouard
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D003954:Diagnostic Services / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006300:Health Services Misuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D010336:Pathology / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D000078329:Workforce