Laboratory medicine in the European Union

Abstract

Abstract:The profession of laboratory medicine differs between countries within the European Union (EU) in many respects. The objective of professional organizations of the promotion of mutual recognition of specialists within the EU is closely related to the free movement of people. This policy translates to equivalence of standards and harmonization of the training curriculum. The aim of the present study is the description of the organization and practice of laboratory medicine within the countries that constitute the EU. A questionnaire covering many aspects of the profession was sent to delegates of the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM) and Union Européenne de Médecins Spécialistes (UEMS) of the 28 EU countries. Results were sent to the delegates for confirmation. Many differences between countries were identified: predominantly medical or scientific professionals; a broad or limited professional field of interest; inclusion of patient treatment; formal or absent recognition; a regulated or absent formal training program; general or minor application of a quality system based on ISO Norms. The harmonization of the postgraduate training of both clinical chemists and of laboratory physicians has been a goal for many years. Differences in the organization of the laboratory professions still exist in the respective countries which all have a long historical development with their own rationality. It is an important challenge to harmonize our profession, and difficult choices will need to be made. Recent developments with respect to the directive on Recognition of Professional Qualifications call for new initiatives to harmonize laboratory medicine both across national borders, and across the borders of scientific and medical professions.

Are regulation-driven performance criteria still acceptable? – The German point of view

“…Analytes not included in the appendix lists can be treated similar to listed tests. In case of accreditation (in Germany, about 95% of laboratories serving outpatients are accreditated according to DIN EN ISO 15189) [28], the compliance of internal and external quality control schemes with the quality criteria will be scrutinized.…”

Accreditation process in European countries – an EFLM survey

“…Also in this field there are large differences between countries [1,2]. The accreditation of medical laboratories in the European countries is mostly carried out in cooperation with national accreditation bodies (NAB).…”

Harmonisation of specialist training and continuing professional development in laboratory medicine: a long but necessary journey

“…Can we assume that the specialists in laboratory medicine who are being urged to embrace harmonisation are operating from a level playing field of education, training and continuing professional development? Intuitively, we may expect the answer to be 'no' and this issue of the journal provides convincing and concerning evidence of wide diversity in specialist training [13] and continuing professional development [14] within countries of the European Union (EU). Such variability in the building blocks of our profession has implications not only for the free movement of professionals within the EU but also of our ability to harmonise our practices in the best interests of patients.…”

“…The publication from Oosterhuis and Zerah [13] contains the results of a wide ranging survey conducted among 28 countries within the EU. The findings reveal considerable variation between countries, including: 1) The name of the specialty and the professionals who work in the specialty; 2) The professional background of specialists; medical, scientist, pharmacist; 3) The organisation and service delivery of sub-specialties of laboratory medicine; 4) The length and content of specialist training and the assessment of that training; 5) The professional responsibilities of individual specialists, especially in clinical areas; 6) The requirement for registration and re-registration of professionals.…”

“…Continuing professional development (CPD) (also known as continuing medical education) is now undertaken by trained specialists in laboratory medicine in most European countries [13]. The publication by Martin and colleagues [14] looks in detail at the approaches to and measurement of CPD in four European countries.…”