Medical Laboratory Science has seen many changes over the years not the least of which has been the advent of sophisticated laboratory automation, improved technology and quality systems which have led to great improvements in service delivery. These changes have had a major impact on the way we operate and have presented both opportunities and challenges for the Medical Laboratory Scientist.
The challenges of new and rapidly changing technologies, outsourcing of laboratory testing, consolidation and acquisition of services, a greater fiscal and litigious focus in health care, and decisions based on economics: often with little input from pathologists and scientists, are having a profound impact on medical science.
The role of the Medical Scientist of the future has changed and will continue to change. The impact of rapidly changing technologies, associated responsibilities and training needs for scientists need continual appraisal. The rate of change in the areas of total laboratory automation, laboratory information systems, the advent of middleware and advancing technologies have had major impacts on laboratories and the way we do business. These changes have led to the need for changing skill sets and changes in job responsibilities to include proficiency in data management, instrumentation, information technology, interpretation of laboratory results and dissemination of information and knowledge to health care professionals.
The future for the Medical Scientist will be challenging. As automation becomes more sophisticated the traditional laboratory roles for the scientist will change; there will be a greater requirement for them to provide laboratory oversight rather than for hands on testing, a need for skills in information technology, laboratory automation, change management and continuing education.