Clinical laboratory work--concepts and terms.

An appropriate term is sought for the concept embracing the different types of clinical laboratory work. The defining characteristics of the concept are therefore described, i.e. site, goal, objectives, activity, field, and participating professionals. It is proposed that the superordinate concept should be "medicine" while the subordinate concept under discussion is defined on the basis of the characteristics, thereby distinguishing it from coordinate concepts, i.e. from other branches of medicine. The principles used for establishing existing terms in other branches of medicine are presented, together with a discussion of existing terms in the clinical laboratory field. It is suggested that the current term 'laboratory medicine' has several advantages. The workplace may be called a 'department of laboratory medicine' or 'clinical (or medical) laboratory'. It is further suggested that the term 'clinical chemistry' should not generally be replaced by 'clinical biochemistry'.