Impressions of IFBLS 30th World Congress of Biomedical Science

Delegates from around the globe gathered this week in Berlin, Germany for IFBLS 30th World Congress of Biomedical Science hosted by the dvta (Deutscher Verband Technischer Assistentinnen/Assistenten in der Medizin e.V.). The World Congress delivered not only the expected updates on new analytical tools and techniques, but also a significant programme of presentations and workshops with much broader themes.

Dr. Graham Beastall, President, IFCC, and Chair, UK Labs Are Vital Executive Committee, said “Measuring quality, biomedical scientist education, lab management and the challenges labs must face in the future all featured in the core conference programme. This new approach is certainly welcomed by me and, judging by the packed rooms and lively discussions I heard, it was valued by the delegates too.

“I was pleased to chair and speak at one of these sessions – a Labs Are Vital hosted workshop, where more than 70 people enjoyed presentations that explored the added value that laboratory medicine delivers to the healthcare system, how the axiom ‘right test, right patient, right time and at the right cost’ is becoming more critical in an age of increased demand and limited spending on healthcare, and a vision of what labs may be paid for in the future.”

Discussion and questions flowed, and at the end of the one and a half hour session a clear consensus was reached: this is an exciting time for laboratory medicine; it is a time to face up to challenges and to turn them into opportunities that will benefit patients and the public. It is the responsibility of everyone in the profession to engage, and to do what they can to champion the vital role that clinical pathology and laboratory medicine plays.

To find out more about the Labs Are Vital initiative, follow the company website link below!