English 
Italian Il “Libro Bianco” dei Giovani Professionisti di Medicina di Laboratorio in Italia: risultati dell’indagine del Gruppo di Studio SIBioC Young Scientists
The “white paper” of young Laboratory Medicine professionals in Italy: results from a survey by the SIBioC – Young Scientists Working Group
AUTORI
1Dipartimento di Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Siena
2Laboratorio Analisi Chimico Cliniche Microbiologiche, Ospedale S.Stefano, Prato
3Istituto Fiorentino di Cura e Assistenza (IFCA), Firenze
4Dipartimento di Fisiopatologia medico-chirurgica e dei trapianti, Università degli Studi di Milano
5Biochimica Clinica e di Biologia Molecolare Clinica, Università di Roma Tor Vergata
6Società Italiana Biochimica Clinica, SIBioC
7Centro Risorse Biologiche, Biobanca, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Roma
8Centro Europeo di Ricerca sul Cervello, via del Fosso di Fiorano, Roma
ABSTRACT
The "white paper" of young Laboratory Medicine professionals in Italy: results from a survey by the SIBioC - Young Scientists Working Group
Introduction: Laboratory Medicine is continuously changing because of the advent of new technologies and perspectives, such as automation, Big Data and omics sciences. Professionals’ profiles are changing concurrently, developing the new technological, clinical and management skills required nowadays. In order to assess training needs as well as education and working conditions, the SIBioC Young Scientists Working Group (YS-WG) promoted a questionnaire directed to professionals ≤40 years old.
Methods: the questionnaire was prepared using Survey Monkey and was sent to the 587 SIBioC members ≤40 years old; it was also diffused via the YS-WG social media pages, and through personal e-mails with the help of Specialty School Offices. The questionnaire included 54 questions examining different aspects: participation in SIBioC activities, scientific interests, working conditions, evaluations of training and education experiences, expectations for the future professional life.
Results: during three months, 282 responses have been collected. The most represented professionals are Biologists (PhD) (46%), followed by Medical Doctors (24%). 33% of participants has an open-ended contract, 15% temporary, 17% freelance and 17% has a scholarship/research grant; 46% of them do not receive any remuneration. Around 60% work in public institutions (Universities or Hospitals); 52% are involved in clinical area, 29% in research. Residents’ evaluation on educational quality of Specialty Schools is rather heterogeneous. Among the 193 SIBioC members, 35% is actively participating in at least one of the society’s Working Group. Most of the participants are regular readers of the SIBioC official journal (Biochimica Clinica), consult LabTestsOnline web site, and participate to SIBioC scientific events and/or to the Society e-learning courses.
Conclusions: the results of the survey are a key point for the Society, allowing to understand the young laboratory professionals needs, so that they can be accompanied and encouraged in a full development of their future professional life.