The laboratory microbiologist in clinical medicine.

Laboratory microbiology provides to clinicians caring for patients with infectious diseases objective data regarding etiologic agent identification and antimicrobial susceptibility. Mutual communication is essential to ensure appropriate selection of materials for culture, prompt collection and transport, and efficacious handling in the laboratory. Training programs for physicians and clinical scientists are too few in number and are in need of expansion. Program in pathology and postdoctoral programs must emphasize clinical and laboratory experience so that communication can be improved.