Hello BTN Community!
I wanted to start a conversation around something that impacts our work every single day - how we communicate and think critically while navigating cancer biomarker testing.
Those of us in the BTN workflow know that so much depends on us-getting the right specimen to the right place, at the right time, with the right information. And a huge part of that is how we communicate with others along the way.
Effective communication in healthcare doesn't just happen with patients. It's also with:
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clinicians who may need clarification about test requirements,
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reference labs that need accurate and complete information,
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and our own internal teams when something unexpected comes up.
Sometimes we're the ones who catch a potential issue before it becomes a delay-and that takes both clear communication and sharp critical thinking.
So, I'd love to hear from the group:
- What communication strategies have helped you when coordinating biomarker testing with clinicians or reference labs?
- Do you have tools, checklists, scripts, or workflow tips that make tricky conversations easier or help prevent errors?
- Have you found any resources-articles, templates, apps, or even personal habits-that improved how you navigate complex or time-sensitive testing situations?
Whether it's a small trick you use every day or a big "aha" moment you learned through experience, please share!
These best practices can make a huge difference for all of us working behind the scenes to advance our area of expertise!
Looking forward to learning from each other!
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Stephanie Whitehead, MBA, MPH, MLS (ASCP)
ASCP Texas Riverwalk Chapter
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