THE IMPACT OF CLINICAL BIOCHEMISTRY ON UNIVERSITY-EDUCATION IN FRANCE

In France, clinical biochemistry, similar to other disciplines of labo ratory medicine, is taught in both the regular medical and pharmacy cu rricula, but medical teaching is oriented more towards the interpretat ion of laboratory findings than test performance. At present, there is no compulsory program of lifelong continuing education, but it is pla nned to introduce such an obligation in the near future. The practice of laboratory medicine is regulated strictly by the national Health Ad ministration. Clinical laboratories are multidisciplinary, covering si multaneously clinical biochemistry, microbiology, parasitology, hemato logy and immunology. The only officially recognized laboratory profess ion is that of 'Director of a Laboratory for Medical Analysis'. The pr actice of this profession is only open to physicians and pharmacists, provided they graduated in 'Medical Biology' after 4 years of speciali zed training through a particular type of residency called the 'intern at'. The 'interns' are selected by competitive examination. After comp leting their curriculum, specialized physicians or pharmacists can wit hout further examination or certification either enter a career in a h ospital, a university, or both, or direct or co-direct a private labor atory. In this scheme, clinical biochemistry exists as a separate acad emic discipline, but barely as a distinct profession.