title: Improvement of technical and analytical performance in DNA sequencing by external quality assessment-based molecular training.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  From 2003 to 2005, the European Union supported the EQUAL-initiative to develop methodological external quality assessment (EQA) schemes for genotyping (EQUALqual), quantitative PCR (EQUALquant), and sequencing (EQUALseq). As a relevant part of the EQUALseq program, a training course was held subsequent to the first EQA Program (EQAP1). The success of this course was reassessed in a 2nd EQUALseq round (EQAP2).
  
  
  METHODS
  In September 2005, a 3-day training course took place. We invited 8 laboratories with below-average performance in EQAP1 to improve their methodological and analytical/proficiency skills by lectures and practical work. To compare the results of the pretraining and posttraining EQUALseq rounds, we distributed 2 samples used in the first EQUAL round, but this time we provided different oligonucleotide sets. We evaluated the results by means of a previously described scoring system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In EQAP2, 6 laboratories returned complete data sets, corresponding to an overall 14% of the 43 laboratories that had finished EQAP1. The scoring results for samples A (P=0.0025) and B (P=0.0125) demonstrated a significant improvement in EQAP2. Overall, a substantial improvement of technical and interpretative skills was demonstrated (P=0.0051). In general, the workshop experience was highly rated by the participants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Methodologic EQAPs in DNA sequencing are appropriate tools to uncover strengths and weaknesses in both technique and proficiency, emphasizing the need for mandatory EQAPs. Training courses, together with 2nd-round reiterations, should be implemented into methodological EQAPs in molecular diagnostics to improve technical performance and proficiency in genetic testing.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Mannheim of the University of Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dorn-Beineke
authors.forename: Parviz
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ahmad-Nejad
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Pfeiffer
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ramsden
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pazzagli
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Neumaier
mesh_terms: D005062:European Union; D006801:Humans; D008967:Molecular Biology / Q000193:education*; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011786:Quality Control; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*