Laboratory services are in demand. The pressure for faster and better results is constant. As labs become increasingly involved in medical care and health management in the coming decades, this demand is expected to grow. That’s why it is critical to structure the laboratories of today by thinking of the future of laboratory medicine.

Lab leaders and innovators must ask themselves:

• Is my laboratory prepared to handle emerging clinical testing needs?
• How can my lab contribute to the improvement of biomarkers and diagnostic testing?
• What do my clinician colleagues need from my lab now and in the future?
• What technology and testing abilities does my lab need to develop, in order to stay at the forefront of the field?
• What personnel growth and education opportunities can my lab pursue this year?

Labs must work to answer these questions on a regular basis, in order to build towards a future that works for laboratories, clinicians and patients.

A forward-looking lab knows where it stands

Seventy percent of objective diagnostic and therapeutic data used by doctors to make decisions for patients, comes from the laboratory. Lab services are like the foundation of a building—a platform upon which the rest of medical science and care can rely. If the lab is strong, it can provide powerful support for the development of clinical specialties and departments. 

That’s why lab leaders must also be in close communication with clinicians. By constantly interacting with clinical colleagues, lab leaders get valuable feedback on their work, and on clinician satisfaction with lab services. Try some of these ways to get the word out to clinical colleagues: participate in hospital rounds, speak up at interdepartmental meetings, present the menu and breadth of your services during a clinical education session, offer a tour and explanation of lab services to new medical fellows, etc.

In addition, exchanging opinions about medicine and lab science allows robust discussion regarding upcoming clinical needs and directions for development. This also enriches the reputation of the profession among our closest colleagues and allies.

A forward-looking lab contributes to science

Active, engaged laboratories must do more than just keep up with the status quo. They should aim to address new clinical needs, or to address current clinical needs even better. Labs should constantly work to integrate new and better biomarkers for disease diagnosis and treatment. Likewise, labs should work to advance to faster, more accurate detection methods.

This means labs must go beyond the day-to-day responsibilities of running tests and reporting results, to actively trying to improve the way labs can serve clinicians and patients. Run continuous quality improvement efforts—even for things like swapping in screw-top urine collection cups for specimen collection, rather than using open-top cups to prevent spills. And if possible, consider participating in research in partnership with industry, academicians, or clinicians. With incremental progress and methodical dedication, lab leaders can transform lab science and medical care at the same time.

A forward-looking lab values technology AND people

It goes without saying that laboratory science is headed towards highly automated processes. Equipment and software are becoming highly intelligent, which will undoubtedly continue to improve diagnostic accuracy and testing menus.

But together with this increased reliance on automation and technology, laboratories must put strong efforts into nurturing their people. After all, people will not be replaced when more advanced laboratory technology comes along—their efforts will be enhanced.

A lab’s people are the true future of laboratories. To be a forward-looking lab, a focus on the human element is paramount. Investing in training lab experts to provide substantive support and guidance to clinicians, is key. However, labs also need to invest in their experts as individuals. This means working to improve employee satisfaction, and stimulating their dedication and passion for their profession. It also means valuing them as people, which has other impacts on the social and economic health of the laboratory, now and in the future. Try ensuring that the working environment is comfortable, allowing breaks, working to make the tedious aspects of their jobs automated, if possible, and even supplying food during the breaks, to show them they are valued.

In short, the forward-looking lab needs to understand its role and value in the medical world. Through constant introspection and interaction, it can identify opportunities for improvement. Once it does so, it can master future demands by building solutions through science, technology and—most importantly—people.