Du 4 au 6 octobre 2023, Rennes a accueilli « Microbes 2023 », the congress of the French Society of Microbiology (SFM), and from October 11 to 13, hospital biologists gathered for their 6th Francophone Days of Medical Biology (JFBM), in Antibes-Juan-les-Pins.
But in the end, whether the congress is focused on a scientific specialty (microbiology) or on a work environment (the hospital), the issues, questions, and trends are very similar. Starting with the very spirit of these two congresses, which presented themselves as open to other horizons, open to topics beyond their specialties, and carrying the current concerns of biologists, their practices, and their roles, whatever they may be.
What role for the biologist? How to become a player in prevention?
This is truly a central question today, which appeared subtly in many interventions at both congresses. The symposium “Influenza and respiratory viruses,” which took place parallel to the Microbes congress, is a good example. Almost all the interventions concluded and posed this question: how to convey prevention messages, whether for vaccination or wearing masks, how to report warnings and who should decide, what levers to use to be heard and to share information?
In the age of widespread information overload, it is clear that communication and knowledge transfer remain key to optimized and efficient healthcare pathways.
Clinical and biological aspects complement each other
At both congresses, the clinician/biologist relationship was discussed, especially regarding the role assigned to the biologist and their expertise: mutual respect and a posture of humility are necessary to establish common diagnoses and make decisions based on good practices. What results should be transmitted to the clinician: the entire antibiogram or only an effective conclusion? How to convey that certain analyses are unnecessary or irrelevant?
On this subject, an alert was issued by the group MicMac of the SFM in an op-ed in Le Monde about tests on the fecal microbiota, which is currently unrealistic to interpret and draw certain diagnoses from.
This issue was also very present at the JFBM, along with overlapping logistical questions since we are in the hospital environment: who to alert, how to alert, when to alert, how to organize efficient alerts during shifts.
And for one of the speakers at the JFBM, the future is clear for biologists: “the future lies outside your laboratories, go out, see clinicians and patients, confront your biological results with the reality of the patient!“
To further complement these remarks, check out our hematology dossier “diagnostics: collaborating for better interpretation”.
“Very Olympic” suppliers
As for exhibitors, these two congresses reflect some current trends with the general motto “always closer, always smaller, always faster”:
- The development of diagnostic solutions using a syndromic approach that are becoming more and more affordable
- Compact and fast devices that provide “point of care” results in less than 20 minutes
- Shortened culture time through a thorough standardization of samples, their handling, and precise control of incubators, with more or less advanced and intelligent automation. A trend that aims to focus on the “value added” by biologists.
- Molecular biology analyses that are gaining in maturity (reliability, reproducibility, ease, quality)
- A significant offering of software, computerized management of workflows and data, etc.
However, it must not be mistaken, the showcase of manufacturers is tested against facts and research. Thus, at both congresses, practical experiences and posters have highlighted the analysis or comparison of different equipment, emphasizing the necessary technical knowledge of the machines to avoid certain biases, for example, or to choose equipment wisely.
Biologists are not “isolated”
Another trend confirmed at these two congresses is the necessary openness of biologists to entrepreneurial management: from project management to team management, taking charge of their insurance or retirement, managing competencies, and recruiting young professionals. A trend that tends to bring hospital biologists and private biologists closer together on many subjects.
Against this backdrop, there is a strong expectation for the recognition of the biologist profession. Questions and expectations that will undoubtedly also be found at the JIB, which will be held on November 17 and 18 in Paris.
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2023-10-17 09:31:49
