A guide to defining the competence required of a consultant in clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine

Author(s):  
Graham Beastall ◽  
Desmond Kenny ◽  
Paivi Laitinen ◽  
Joop ten Kate

AbstractA definition has been agreed for the most senior professional (consultant) in clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine. A model job description for a consultant has been determined, which is intended to act as a toolkit to assist employing authorities and professional bodies to define the role of individual consultant posts. A total of 86 competences for a consultant have been designated and expressed in the form of simple generic proficiency standards. These competences have been allocated to six broad areas: clinical [13]; scientific [15]; technical [12]; communication [12]; management and leadership [20]; professional autonomy and accountability [14]. The competences are intended to be illustrative rather than definitive and to enable the duties of any consultant post to be defined. Assessment of competence is likely to entail consideration of qualifications, registration status, continuing professional development and performance review. The project is intended as a guide to European societies of clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine. The guide should be capable of local interpretation to encourage a greater degree of commonality in the role of the consultant whilst protecting national identity. The guide should stimulate international understanding and collaboration and contribute to an overall improvement in the quality of practice.

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (7) ◽  
pp. 967-973 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federica Braga ◽  
Mauro Panteghini

Abstract Traceability to a common reference ensures equivalence of results obtained by different assays. Traceability is achieved by an unbroken sequence of calibrations, using reference materials (RMs) that must be commutable. Using non-commutable RMs for calibration will introduce a bias in the calibrated method producing incorrect results for clinical samples (CS). Commutability was defined in 1973 as “the ability of an enzyme material to show inter-assay activity changes comparable to those of the same enzyme in human serum” and later extended as a characteristic of all RMs. However, the concept is still poorly understood and appreciated. Commutability assessment has been covered in CLSI guidelines and requires: (a) selection of 20 CS spanning the relevant concentration range; (b) analysis of both RM and CS with the pair of procedures; (c) data elaboration using regression analysis and calculation if RM fall within the 95% prediction interval defined by CS. This approach has been criticized and to improve it The International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine established a working group that recently finalized recommendations. Commutability is also a requirement for the applicability of external quality assessment (EQA) results in the evaluation of the performance of participating laboratories in terms of standardization of their measurements. Unfortunately, EQA materials are usually not validated for commutability.


1994 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 859-861 ◽  
Author(s):  
N W Tietz

Abstract The role of clinical chemistry in the diagnostic process has been enhanced by the evolution of better instrumentation and analytical techniques. The quality of some laboratory tests, however, has not kept pace with these advances. I present three examples--serum iron, serum lipase, and nonisotopic immunoassays--assays where some currently used methodologies are highly flawed. Causes for the less than optimal performance of some clinical laboratories are discussed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Jha ◽  
S. Khurana ◽  
K. Ali ◽  
I. Ahmad ◽  
S. Verma

The primary objective of this narrative review was to evaluate the current literature and to provide further insight into the role of concurrent training on various components of physical health or performance. Literature was obtained by electronic searches of databases using specific keywords. Combined effect of training sessions proved to be as beneficial as drug interactions. Results from cross-sectional, longitudinal, and intervention studies are reviewed and discussed with main focus on physical parameters, such as body composition, physiological parameters, molecular adaptation, athlete’s perspective, order of execution, interference phenomena and recovery. In conclusion, concurrent resistance and endurance training is an effective method for enhancing overall fitness as well as improving quality of life.


Author(s):  
Anna Carobene ◽  
Marta Strollo ◽  
Niels Jonker ◽  
Gerhard Barla ◽  
William A. Bartlett ◽  
...  

AbstractBackground:Biological variation (BV) data have many fundamental applications in laboratory medicine. At the 1st Strategic Conference of the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM) the reliability and limitations of current BV data were discussed. The EFLM Working Group on Biological Variation is working to increase the quality of BV data by developing a European project to establish a biobank of samples from healthy subjects to be used to produce high quality BV data.Methods:The project involved six European laboratories (Milan, Italy; Bergen, Norway; Madrid, Spain; Padua, Italy; Istanbul, Turkey; Assen, The Netherlands). Blood samples were collected from 97 volunteers (44 men, aged 20–60 years; 43 women, aged 20–50 years; 10 women, aged 55–69 years). Initial subject inclusion required that participants completed an enrolment questionnaire to verify their health status. The volunteers provided blood specimens once per week for 10 weeks. A short questionnaire was completed and some laboratory tests were performed at each sampling consisting of blood collected under controlled conditions to provide serum, KResults:Samples from six out of the 97 enroled subjects were discarded as a consequence of abnormal laboratory measurements. A biobank of 18,000 aliquots was established consisting of 120 aliquots of serum, 40 of EDTA-plasma, and 40 of citrated-plasma from each subject. The samples were stored at –80 °C.Conclusions:A biobank of well-characterised samples collected under controlled conditions has been established delivering a European resource to enable production of contemporary BV data.


2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-128
Author(s):  
Irtanto Irtanto

The presence of democratization and the role of the mass media have an impact on the behavior of women voters. This research used a descriptive quantitative approach with the aim to identifying the role of institutions of socialization and media information on the legislative elections 2014, and to know the preferences of women’s voter in determining their political choice and to know the exposure of mass media and the appeal of political advertising from political parties. The results indicate that the institution of socialization and information media on the legislative elections 2014 was instrumental in disseminating information and introduce the candidates to the voters. The preferences of women’s voter in determining their political choices from the sociological side is more considering the religious background, professional organizations, origin of place, family information, and intellectuality of the candidates. From the psychological side, most women tend to consider the emotional closeness, similarity of political parties, the integrity, the same interest. The political preferences of rational considerations tend to the issue of the candidate experience and success in leading the organization, whether it locally or nationally, intellectuality and the quality of candidates, campaign issues, vision and mission, programs, credibility, commitment, personality, modest, good performance, good capability, clean image and performance, and closeness with ordinary people.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 37
Author(s):  
Maimunah Dairani Lamri Banjar

Abstract The schoolbook in general is important in the educational process and their own importance; given the role of the Arabic language in preserving the identity and culture of society, it is therefore necessary to pay attention to its design and preparation, so that it achieves the desired goals. It meets the standards and performance of the quality of the book and addresses the gap between the elements of the language and its skills. Teaching books include an important component in learning, therefore must meet the criteria of teaching books that are worth using in accordance with applicable provisions. And the teaching material in it is also good quality material. The purpose of this research is to find out the quality of the Arabic teaching book grade IV issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs in 2021. The methods used are library research and content analysis. Based on the results of the analysis can be known if there are still some errors in terms of content, presentation, language, and radiography. More research is needed on this book.Keywords: The School book _ standards _ goals _ skills. Teaching Book, Arabic


2005 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 181-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerard Sanders

When quality is referred to in clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine, the focus is mainly on the analytical process. But good professional quality starts with a sound education. In an attempt to describe the practice of clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine in the 15 member states of the "old" European Union, it was noticed that (sometimes) large differences existed in the way professionals are being trained (see: Sanders et al, Clin Chem Lab Med 2002; 40: 196-204). With that outcome, a survey of the Websites of the different Member Societies and Corporate Members of IFCC was conducted. It showed that less than one third of either two groups paid attention to, or offered, education. This led to a series of questions to a non-representative group of colleagues outside the former EU who were willing to give more insight in the educational system of their country. All colleagues were known to be involved actively in clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine. The outcome did not give a uniform pattern, since every country regulates health care in its own way, according to its own historical development, needs, social vision, etc. From that a number of conclusions have been drawn: a. Proper University Training is required to enter vocational training b. Regulated Vocational Training seems to be necessary (4 years) c. A clear Syllabus as an indicative guide to the vocational training is important d. Management training should be included since a clinical chemist will have organizational responsibilities as well e. Examinations may help in improving the quality of the education f. Official Register, recognized by Law, is essential, but not always existing h. Re-Registration can be seen as part of the Quality Cycle. Finally, some attention is being paid to the activities of the EMD. This Division of the IFCC provides the membership of IFCC and the health-care community with education which it considers relevant to Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine. It is the intention of EMD to improve the quality of the profession by educational activities in molecular biology, evidence based laboratory medicine, quality assurance, distance education, and laboratory management. Specific projects are a Master Course in Laboratory Science, a course in Flowcytometry, and the Visiting Lecturer Program which supports national societies in inviting lecturers on specific topics. More information can be found on the IFCC Web-site (www.ifcc.org). In the future, it is to be expected that emphasis on education in our profession will be on the clinical use of tests, modern media and e-learning, and specific courses in new technologies. EMD works continuously to improve the quality of clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine. The input from all National Societies is appreciated to discern topics most relevant to the membership of IFCC. .


2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Robinson

Abstract The role of spending review is to identify savings options which enable governments either to find fiscal space for priority new spending, or to cut aggregate spending. Following the surge in the use of spending review by governments around the world following the global financial crisis in 2008, many governments are now seeking to institutionalize spending review as a permanent part of the budget preparation process. The effectiveness of spending review is critically dependent upon the quality of its information base – that is the expenditure analysis and performance indicators which can assist in the search for savings options. Evaluation is an essential part of this information base. However, ensuring that the potential of evaluation to inform spending review is realized will require considerable reflection on the design, selection and conduct of evaluations. Résumé:L’objectif des exercices de révision budgétaire est d’identifier des moyens d’économiser afin que les gouvernements puissent trouver une disponibilité fiscale pour de nouvelles dépenses, ou pour couper les dépenses globales. Suite à l’intérêt pour les exercices de révision budgétaire, au niveau mondial, suivant à la crise financière de 2008, de nombreux gouvernements cherchent à institutionnaliser de façon permanente ces exercice dans le processus de préparation des budgets. L’efficacité des révisions budgétaire repose de façon critique sur la qualité de l’information à laquelle elle a accès – c’est-à-dire l’analyse des dépenses et les indicateurs de performance qui peuvent informer sur les sources potentielles d’économie. L’évaluation est une composante importante de cette information. Toutefois, s’assurer que l’évaluation puissent informer les exercices de révision budgétaire implique une réflexion importante sur la façon dont elles sont conçues, orientées et réalisées. 


Author(s):  
Tong-Seng Quah

Artificial neural networks’ (ANNs’) generalization powers have in recent years received admiration of finance researchers and practitioners. Their usage in such areas as bankruptcy prediction, debt-risk assessment, and security-market applications has yielded promising results. With such intensive research and proven ability of the ANN in the area of security-market application and the growing importance of the role of equity securities in Singapore, it has motivated the conceptual development of this work in using the ANN in stock selection. With their proven generalization ability, neural networks are able to infer the characteristics of performing stocks from the historical patterns. The performance of stocks is reflective of the profitability and quality of management of the underlying company. Such information is reflected in financial and technical variables. As such, the ANN is used as a tool to uncover the intricate relationships between the performance of stocks and the related financial and technical variables. Historical data, such as financial variables (inputs) and performance of the stock (output) is used in this ANN application. Experimental results obtained thus far have been very encouraging.


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