Preface

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This revised, third edition of the Manual of Use and Interpretation of Pathology Tests has been a project for the Board of Education, aiming to produce a comprehensive manual to guide clinicians in the selection of appropriate pathology investigations and to assist them in the interpretation of pathology results.

This third edition has been published electronically and is available on CD-ROM and on-line. As the Manual is rarely read from cover to cover, the electronic format allows easy access to specific information through searches. Also, the cross-references contain electronic links, making it simple to obtain related information. The structure of this electronic document is based on that of the successful first edition and is an update of the second edition. The first section, the Clinical Problems listing, provides more guidance on the appropriate approach to the investigation of a series of clinical problems, diseases, disease and treatment complications and abnormal laboratory findings; it also includes more cross references to relevant test listings. The second section, the Test listing, continues to describe the specimen requirements, methodology, clinical application and interpretation of individual tests and includes one or more useful references as a source of further information.

The College and its Fellows owe a special debt of gratitude to Dr Wendy Erber, immediate past Chairman of the Board of Education, and the Associate Editors:

	Dr Virginia Billson	Dr Alan Clague
	Dr David Gillis	Dr Christine Johnson
	Dr Yiu-Lam Kwan	Dr Mark Pilbeam
		Professor Ron Trent

The ability of the Editorial Committee to work in a collaborative, interdisciplinary fashion has been critical to the successful completion of this third edition. The Committee has consulted widely and attempted to achieve consensus within the disciplines.

Although this document provides information and guidance on pathology investigations, it is not intended to reduce the level of consultation between clinicians and pathologists, an interaction which is central to the optimal care of patients.

Some differences of opinion and omissions are inevitable in a publication of this type, which aims to achieve best practice in pathology investigation. The Board of Education would welcome constructive comments on the Manual, including suggestions for improvement, which should be forwarded to the Board of Education, Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia, Durham Hall, 207 Albion Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010, Australia.

Lawrence Bott
Honorary Secretary
The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia
June 2001