Abstract

This paper describes the history of FESCC (Forum of the European Societies of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine), the actual fields of major activities and the key issues in Europe. The mission of FESCC is to support and promote clinical chemistry in Europe, to aid interactions with IFCC (International Federation of Clinical Chemistry), to develop education and quality in the discipline and to encourage young scientists to take an active role in these activities. The total quality systems in medical and clinical laboratories and accreditation of these laboratories is gaining more and more interest. Laboratory specialists are confronted with a new way of thinking concerning the management and the daily practice of their laboratories. Particularly in the European Union (EU), harmonization of criteria for quality systems is desirable. The freedom of movement and goods within the EU has a large impact for the member states. FESCC launched surveys in Europe on accreditation of medical laboratories and training with special attentions to postgraduate education of the profession. A second survey was launched to gather more information about the managerial situation of the specialists in clinical chemistry in Europe. The harmonization of the profession in one of the challenges for the European specialists in clinical chemistry and for FESCC a major task. Factors defining the future of laboratory medicine are treated.

Highlights

  • A discussion is open on the major aspects of education and training in clinical chemistry in Europe reviewing FESCC organisations, activities and future plans and to conclude with lessons from the experiences

  • FESCC is a Forum (Federation) of the national societies, which are concerned with clinical chemistry, and which are members of IFCC

  • Between FESCC and IFCC there is a direct link via the different divisions as conference and con

Read more

Summary

Victor Blaton

Summary: This paper describes the history of FESCC (Forum of the European Societies of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine), the actual fields of major activities and the key issues in Europe. FESCC launched surveys in Europe on accreditation of medical laboratories and training with special attentions to postgraduate education of the profession. A discussion is open on the major aspects of education and training in clinical chemistry in Europe reviewing FESCC organisations, activities and future plans and to conclude with lessons from the experiences. FESCC is a Forum (Federation) of the national societies, which are concerned with clinical chemistry, and which are members of IFCC. IFCC (International Federation of clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine) is the world organisation of clinical chemistry and is subdivided in 4 regions Asia, Arabia, Europe and Latin America. Between FESCC and IFCC there is a direct link via the different divisions as conference and con-

Address for corespondence
The main forum of FESCC
Accreditation and postgraduate training in European countries
European regulations as a basis for total quality management
Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call