In response to Chris's question, the 'dictionary' answer is probably someone
who studies or uses a body of knowledge. The general public might say
anyone who works in a 'lab'. Those who practice 'real' science would
probably say that they extend the body of knowledge about the natural world
through observation, hypothesis, experiment, theory and peer-reviewed
publications!
What qualifies you to be a scientist is not what exam passes you have but
how you think and apply your thoughts in a way that extends the knowledge
base and leads to greater understanding. How many of us actually do this in
our working lives? Whether we call ourselves 'bio-medical' or 'clinical'
scientists may be equally inaccurate!
For laboratory medicine services to be effective, we need (1) people to
provide the body of knowledge (ie the science) which underpins
evidence-based working, (2) people who understand the technology which
arises out of the science and delivers accurate and reliable test results,
(3) people who apply this information in the clinical setting. (I am not
forgetting lots of other people - administrators, IT staff, secretaries,
porters, cleaners who play a role in the service too.) These roles need to
be properly integrated and rewarded according to achievement and service
provided. What we have called ourselves (and each other) in the past has
caused us a lot of grief, and we will get nowhere if we keep opening up the
wounds!
Why don't we invent a neutral term (Practitioner in Laboratory Medicine with
a suitable speciality extension), and rely on the contribution we make in
the above domains, as judged by our peers, to determine our status as
scientists or otherwise, rather than meaningless terms which do not improve
understanding of our roles by the world at large!
Jonathan Middle PLM.EQA.steroids :-)
-----Original Message-----
From: Chris Royle <[log in to unmask]>
To: 'acb mailbase' <[log in to unmask]>
Date: 30 March 1999 15:43
>Dear colleagues on the ACB mailbase.
>I am the proud possessor of ONC HNC, Fellowship of the IBMS (by
examination)
>and an MSc in Chemical
> Analysis. Do any (or none) of those qualify me as a "scientist"?
>Best wishes,
>Chris Royle,
>Laboratory Manager
>Clinical Biochemistry / Haematology Department
>Royal Brompton Hospital
>LONDON SW3 6NP
>tel 0171 351 8413
>fax 0171 351 8416
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|