The Lab Report

In this episode, Drs. Jennifer Dmetrichuk and Paul Yip gives us a rare view into the forensic realm and the importance of this branch of laboratory medicine. Using the example of trying to determine diabetes-related deaths, Jennifer and Paul discuss the value and challenges with applying biochemistry testing to unique forensic samples and specimens.

Sorry for the hiatus but we are back with a new episode on a topic that everyone can relate to! In this episode, we speak to Dr. Elliot Lass about lipids and everything related to managing lipids as a family physician whether it is using laboratory results or making decisions on lifestyle changes. Drawing from his personal experience, Elliot gives us insight into the importance of balancing risk versus benefits when taking care of patients across all ages, even for routine medical issues like lipids.

Beyond Clinical Biochemists, Medical Laboratory Technologists and Laboratory Assistants represent the frontline staff in laboratory medicine and are essential to technical operations as they collect blood, process samples, run the tests and report the results. In this special episode to celebrate National Medical Laboratory Week, Michelle Hoad speaks to us about the crisis currently faced by medical laboratories in Ontario and the huge strides she has been able to make in her advocacy work for Medical Laboratory Technologists.

In this episode, Dr. Christopher McCudden takes us through the realm of data, informatics and artificial intelligence in medicine outlining the opportunities and challenges of using large amounts of data to improve healthcare. While we tried to limit the amount of technical jargon used, this episode may be more geared towards those with some familiarity with this topic.

In this second episode of a series highlighting publications from the official journal of CSCC, Clinical Biochemistry, Dr. Junyan Shi discusses the innovative concept of “Hospital at Home” programs, how they are transforming patient care, and the critical role that laboratory testing plays in making these programs successful.

In this episode, Drs. Mark Swain and Albert Tsui breaks down the basics of liver health and disease and explains the significant benefits of a new blood-based test for liver fibrosis called FIB4.

In this first episode of a new series highlighting publications from the official journal of CSCC, Clinical Biochemistry, Drs. Paola Galozzi and Daniela Basso discuss the importance of moving towards sustainable practices within laboratory medicine and share their experiences and wisdom from initiatives they have led within the University of Padova.

In this episode, Dr. Annie Martin takes us through the Health Beyond Initiative within the Canadian Space Agency on the framework and advancements in astronautical health and how it applies to the general population.

In this episode, Dr. Mary Kathryn Bohn takes us the concept of “harmonizing” reference intervals and the efforts across Canadian laboratories to accomplish this for commonly ordered tests.

Following our previous 2-part series of “Biochemistry, life and everything in between”, we will have an annual tradition to interview current trainees and recent graduates of a clinical biochemistry fellowship. In this episode, Drs, Lori Beach, Natalie Landry and Basma Ahmed speak about their journeys that led them to this profession and experiences in this profession as women.

In this episode, Dr. Michelle Parker gives us the basics behind allergies and allergy testing as well as demystifying common misconceptions about these specialty laboratory tests.

In the final episode of this three-part series, Drs. Daniel Beriault and Sarah Delaney delve deeper into the nuances and challenges with offering a drug checking service and provide us perspective on the positive impacts they have observed with the Toronto drug checking service.

In this episode, Drs. Daniel Beriault and Sarah Delaney guides us through the principles and philosophy behind harm reduction programs and the necessity of drug checking services to such programs. Although originally intended this to be a two-part series, we felt that the content from this episode was so valuable and important that there will be a third, and final, part to this series coming in a few weeks.

We are starting the new year with another special two-part series on the role of the clinical laboratory in the ongoing opioid epidemic. In this episode, Drs. Josh Raizman, Penny Colbourne, and Dylan Thomas introduces us to the basics of drug testing with a focus on opioids and similar painkillers.

In this special two-part series, Drs. Victoria Higgins, Matthew Nichols and Felix Leung talk about their journeys that led them to clinical biochemistry and reflect on their experiences throughout their training. In this second episode, we discuss impostor syndrome, starting a new position, and how we have learned to cope and adapt to these challenges.

In this special two-part series, Drs. Victoria Higgins, Matthew Nichols and Felix Leung talk about their journeys that led them to clinical biochemistry and reflect on their experiences throughout their training. In this first episode, we recount how we each discovered the profession and discuss how we have navigated work-life balance in a demanding program.

In this episode, Dr. Nicole White Al-Habeeb helps us understand the concept of “interference” in laboratory testing through the example of biotin, a common vitamin in dietary supplements.

In this episode, Dr. Paul Yip gives us the basics of patient bedside testing or “point-of-care testing” as we know it in the clinical laboratory.

In this episode, Dr. Cheryl Tomalty helps us understand the why, the how and the who, when it comes to screening for colon cancer in Canada.

In this episode, we interview Dr. Khosrow Adeli to understand how laboratory results are interpreted and specific challenges with interpretation in children.

In this episode, we take a look at how the laboratory prevented a patient from being misdiagnosed with diabetes.

In this episode, all four of us discuss how we found our way into this career, and what we do as a profession.

Get to know who we are and what we want everyone to get out of the Lab Report.