Pathology requesting resources and guidance

Responding to patient requests

The RACGP has published a position statement and downloadable fact sheets for patients and GPs on responding to patient requests for tests not considered clinically appropriate.

Medicare information

Medicare benefits are claimable only for 'clinically relevant' services.

GP pathology requests may be subject to episode coning. This arrangement effectively places an upper limit on the number of items for which Medicare benefits are payable in a patient episode.

For more information on the usage and costs of specific items, see:

• MBS Online
• Medicare item reports (Services Australia).

Test-specific resources and information

These sites have helpful explanations of specific tests:

• RCPA Manual of Use and Interpretation of Pathology Tests
• Pathology Tests Explained (PTEx; formerly Lab Tests Online)

In addition, the RACGP has published a resource in the Red Book: Screening tests of unproven benefit.

You can also search our table for links to resources on individual tests.

Using the table

Click on a column heading to sort by that column, or start typing in the search box to find the information you need. Swipe left or right to see more of the table if you're on a mobile device.

Condition-specific resources and information

Fatigue

• Common Sense Pathology: Investigating fatigue
• Fatigue – a rational approach to investigation (Australian Family Physician)
• Pathology testing in the tired patient (Australian Family Physician)

Pregnancy

• RCPA Manual: Pregnancy
• PTEx: Pregnancy and prenatal testing

Research papers

These papers by Australian authors discuss quality use of pathology testing:

• We live in testing times: Teaching rational test ordering in general practice (Australian Family Physician)
• Enhancing patient outcomes through evaluation of the appropriateness and quality use of pathology in general practice: a report to the Department of Health Quality Use of Pathology Program (Macquarie University).

Contacts related to GP pathology requesting

We have advised the following organisations of the project to support improved pathology requesting practices:

• Australian Medical Association (AMA)
• Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA)
• Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)
• Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM)
• Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA)
• Wiser Healthcare.