Laboratory Studies for Every Medicated Outpatient: Are They Really Necessary?

Although laboratory tests are useful in some cases, the authors question the value of routine blood studies for every patient who takes psychotropic medication. They report results of a questionnaire distributed to all members of their local psychiatric society concerning usual practice among psychiatrists in regard to laboratory tests. Summarizing the arguments for and against routine laboratory studies for all outpatients, they conclude that routine studies provide little useful information.