Laboratory medicine: challenges and opportunities.
Technologic innovations have substantially improved the productivity of clinical laboratories, but the services provided by clinical laboratories are increasingly becoming commoditized. We reflect on how current developments may affect the future of laboratory medicine and how to deal with these changes. We argue that to be prepared for the future, clinical laboratories should enhance efficiency and reduce costs by forming alliances and networks; consolidating, integrating, or outsourcing; and more importantly, create additional value by providing knowledge services related to in vitro diagnostics.
Bossuyt
Xavier
X
Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. xavier.bossuyt@uz.kuleuven.ac.be
Verweire
Kurt
K
Blanckaert
Norbert
N
D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000639:trends; D002624:Chemistry, Clinical / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000639:trends*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D002984:Clinical Laboratory Information Systems / Q000458:organization & administration; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D007753:Laboratories / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017056:Medical Laboratory Personnel; D010336:Pathology