The research and analysis of numerous data carried out by medical laboratory workers contribute to improved prevention, diagnosis and treatment of numerous diseases. The history of the profession of medical laboratory technologists is going along with the development of practical medicine. In various state standards, this profession has different content and requirements for entry. Medical organizations often conduct internships in research labs, where students can experience being a laboratory technologist. This paper focuses on a description of the laboratory work activities at the Thrombosis and Atherosclerosis Research Institute (TaARI) aimed at detecting the presence of coagulation factor 9 in mice with hemophilia B. It discusses the history and future of the profession of medical laboratory technologists, determines the core activities of the placement and considers the entry into the profession and relevant regulations of the governing body.
History of the Profession
Laboratory research, having appeared, did not immediately begin to influence the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Even nowadays, there are disputes about the extent of the actual impact of laboratory tests and experiments on practical medicine (Lippi, 2019). However, history has demonstrated many laboratory discoveries that have changed the approach to treatment. The first severe stage towards this integration took place in the 19th century. According to Ackerknecht and Haushofer (2016), they are associated with “Friedrich Theodor von Frerichs, who primarily studied liver disease, and Ludwig Traube, who experimentally investigated pneumonia and kidney and heart diseases” (p. 136). They have incorporated the results of their research into their medical practice.
It should be noted that early laboratory tests were characterized by technological and methodological simplicity in comparison with modern research. In the 20th century, laboratory researchers began to use more advanced equipment aimed at investigating the indicators of various organic substances and their relationship to disease diagnoses. Lippi (2019) lists five most significant laboratory discoveries of the previous century. Among them, he refers to the discovery of cardiac troponins measurement for acute myocardial infarction diagnosis and procalcitonin measurement for the sepsis diagnosis (Lippi, 2019). In addition, researchers note that microbiology was born as a result of medical tests in laboratories (Ackerknecht & Haushofer, 2016). At present, medical laboratory technologists tend to work in groups at certain healthcare facilities and are engaged in exploratory studies and hypothesis testing. Their responsibilities include, but are not limited to investigating the contribution of various organic compounds to the genesis and development of certain diseases using modern methodology.
Core Activities of the Placement
The primary purpose of my work at the TaARI is a clarification of the relationship between the von Willebrand factor and the risk of having hemophilia. Particular research challenges are to detect what stimulates the production of von Willebrand factor in endothelial cells and to learn about the different coagulation factors that contribute to the risk of having hemophilia. These research objectives involve the conduction of western blots and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of endothelial cells of mice with hemophilia. In the course of practice, I cooperated with colleagues in order to master these laboratory techniques and conduct them independently during the experiments. I have been participating in experiments that focus on clarifying the role of the von Willebrand factor in blood clotting.
The work placement includes analysis of the research literature on the von Willebrand factor and genesis and development of hemophilia, including studies TAARI has published in the past. It is an opportunity to apply basic academic competence and critical analytical skills. I have been conducting systematic reviews of relevant investigations to compare heterogeneous data concerning the contribution of the von Willebrand factor in hemophilia. In addition, I have been attending the weekly reports and meetings.
Entry into the Profession and Governing Body’s Rules
TaARI is located in Ontario and the activities of its laboratory personnel is governed by the laws of this province. According to the Government of Canada (2016), medical laboratory technologist placement requires a relevant “two- or three-year college program,” “registration with a regulatory body” in certain provinces, including Ontario, and certification completion (para. 5). The Ontario governing body, which regulates the registration of this category of employees and also produces professional guidelines, is a College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario (CMLTO, 2020). It states that “once registered, medical laboratory technologists must practice their profession in accordance with the CMLTO regulations and standards,” which protect “the public’s right to safe, effective, ethical service from” them (CMLTO, 2020, para. 2). Thus, this regulatory body is responsible for both admission to the profession and the quality standards applicable to it.
In order to apply for practicing registration with the CMLTO, several requirements must be met. First, the applicant must successfully complete a medical laboratory technologist educational program or confirm a foreign education equivalent to that of Canada. Secondly, it is necessary to confirm the successful completion of the national certification conducted by the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science. Finally, in a number of cases, the applicant must prove professional knowledge of English and/or French. In case the registration committee confirms the application, the applicant is included in the official register of the CMLTO.
Future of the Profession
The future of the medical laboratory technologist profession will change in line with general healthcare trends. One of these tendencies is the spread of precision or personalized medicine. According to Lippi, Bassi, and Bovo (2016), future laboratory workers will be more involved in in vitro diagnostics and tests. The study of a particular person’s organism condition will, in some cases, be much more effective than the application of the general diagnostic methodology and therapeutic procedures, since medicine is becoming more and more heterogeneous. According to Zitnik, et al. (2018), “the goal of personalized laboratory medicine is to use advanced technologies in the process of preventive, curative or palliative patient management” (p. 1981). Thus, medical laboratory technologists will not only be engaged in research activities but will also be increasingly involved in practical medicine, which means even greater integration of these areas.
Besides, laboratory infrastructure and its content will also be transformed. Lippi, Bassi, and Bovo (2016) state that “test duplication within laboratories insisting on the same geographical area has been a matter of debate for decades” (p. 3). In order to avoid unnecessary efforts, various medical research groups and organizations are supposed to consolidate, for example, through the creation of an infrastructure network that summarizes their results. Therefore, future medical laboratory technologists will work more closely with colleagues from other organizations and related fields. It should also be emphasized that the number of scientific areas that currently involve laboratory researchers is increasing and already includes “genomics, epigenomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and theranostics” (Lippi, Bassi, & Bovo, 2016, p. 4). The number of these areas is likely to increase, and the profession of medical laboratory technologists will have more and more narrowly focused varieties, due to the demand for specialized experts.
Conclusion
It should be pointed out that the profession of medical laboratory technologists has developed in parallel with medical practice and over the past two centuries has been increasingly integrated with it. The work placement held by the TaARI proposes a research task to clarify the role of the von Willebrand factor in the development of hemophilia. It involves conducting of western blots and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of endothelial cells of mice with this disease. The CMLTO is responsible for the registration of medical laboratory technologists in Ontario and issues relevant regulations and standards. In the following years, laboratory professionals will work more frequently with patients, cooperate more with each other and have narrow specializations.
References
Ackerknecht, E. H., & Haushofer, L. (2016). A short history of medicine. Baltimore, MD: JHU Press.
College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario. (2020). Frequently Asked Questions.Web.
Government of Canada. (2016). National occupational classification, 3211 – Medical laboratory technologists. Web.
Lippi, G. (2019). The origin of some laboratory medicine milestones. Journal of Laboratory and Precision Medicine, 4, 14:1-14:5.
Lippi, G., Bassi, A., & Bovo, C. (2016). The future of laboratory medicine in the era of precision medicine. Journal of Laboratory and Precision Medicin, 1(7), 1-5.
Zitnik, I. P., Cerne, D., Mancini, I., Simi, L., Pazzagli, M., Di Resta, C.,… & Van Schaik, R. (2018). Personalized laboratory medicine: a patient-centered future approach. Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (CCLM), 56(12), 1981-1991.