Surfing the wave of clinical laboratory science evolution in Hawai'i.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To describe the steps taken by the Hawaii Society for Clinical Laboratory Science, an affiliate of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science, to inform local laboratory professionals of current trends and to prepare for the future. RESULTS: A Strategic Planning workshop was conducted at the 1997 Hawaii Society for Clinical Laboratory Science Annual Meeting where participants reviewed the essential (but non-traditional) functions of clinical laboratory scientists, and described current realities, identified forces and players affecting the changes, and envisioned the future of our profession. CONCLUSION: As the way health care is provided changes in response to economics and advances in technology, the role of clinical laboratory scientists needs to be redefined. The Hawaii Society for Clinical Laboratory Science continues to provide timely support for members, and plans to work collaboratively with the local chapter of the Clinical Laboratory Managers' Association to advance clinical laboratory science to an appropriate place in the health care community.