The future of laboratory medicine - a 2014 perspective

Clin Chim Acta. 2015 Jan 1:438:284-303. doi: 10.1016/j.cca.2014.09.005. Epub 2014 Sep 16.

Abstract

Predicting the future is a difficult task. Not surprisingly, there are many examples and assumptions that have proved to be wrong. This review surveys the many predictions, beginning in 1887, about the future of laboratory medicine and its sub-specialties such as clinical chemistry and molecular pathology. It provides a commentary on the accuracy of the predictions and offers opinions on emerging technologies, economic factors and social developments that may play a role in shaping the future of laboratory medicine.

Keywords: Clinical chemistry; Future; Laboratory medicine; Molecular pathology; Predictions.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Automation, Laboratory
  • Chemistry, Clinical / economics
  • Chemistry, Clinical / trends*
  • Evidence-Based Medicine / trends
  • Forecasting
  • Humans
  • Laboratories / economics
  • Laboratories / trends*
  • Medical Informatics / trends
  • Pathology, Molecular / economics
  • Pathology, Molecular / trends*
  • Point-of-Care Systems
  • Proteomics
  • Telemedicine / statistics & numerical data
  • Workforce