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42
| 2 | 2008
Klinisk Biokemi i Norden
programs and training needs, especially in developing
countries, The laboratory’s role in improving the qua-
lity of patient care, Linking IFCC activities with clinical
associations, Developing diagnostic guidelines. The
Discussion Groups spent a couple of hours discussing
their topics and they also prepared a presentation of
their discussions. These were presented to all the par-
ticipants in the afternoon.
The main message of the discussion groups was
that the IFCC has to collaborate more with the
International Clinical Associations as well as with the
National Societies and this has to be two-way commu-
nication. One of the groups recognized the fact that it
is important for our field that we collaborate with the
clinicians in our hospitals. We also need to make the
public aware of the value of lab medicine to overall cost
savings vs. perception of lab as cost center. Without
this interaction our profession will die because the
laboratories become more automated and advanced.
The collaboration has to be increased in the areas like
consultation for interpretation of laboratory testing –
when, what, how to order and then what do results
mean, especially concerning areas such as genetics,
cytokines, proteomics, metabolomics.
Another important topic was the developing
countries. The Groups recognized that IFCC has to
focus more on helping the developing countries by
developing guidelines on topics like HIV, hepatitis,
prenatal and neonatal screening. Harmonisation of
curricula for training of the specialists for clinical
chemistry is also important for developing countries,
as well as training in quality issues.
For those interested all these presentations are avai-
lable on the IFCC website (www.ifcc.org).
The General Conference was not only hard work,
but often informal discussions over a cup of coffee are
the most important for the delegates. Despite the tight
and busy schedule there were a lot of opportunities to
meet with each other and make new friends.
(Fortsat fra side 41)
