Current realities and problems in the clinical laboratory as a medical care support department at the Hirosaki University Hospital]

Public awareness, the social situation, and the needs of hospital administrators and others arbitrarily affect the significance and role of clinical laboratories at a given time. To manage clinical laboratories in a way that best uses the knowledge, skills, and judgment of the group that specializes in laboratory tests, a future perspective and essential philosophy to make use of their special characteristics seems essential. That philosophy is to contribute to high quality medical care through laboratory test performance, extend the healthy lifespan of people in the community and the nation, support re-integration of patients into society, and contribute to the well-being of society. To realize this philosophy it is essential to demonstrate the importance of the existence of clinical laboratory technicians and physicians. Without this, it may be impossible to discuss what clinical laboratories should be and adopt a future perspective for them. We herein discuss the ideal and current realities of the clinical laboratory as a medical care support department in the Hirosaki University School of Medicine Hospital, and we report issues and problems related to overcoming the gap between the two realities.