But despite these challenges, he adds, now is a great time for STEM students to consider a career in diagnostics. The IVD is seeing new advancements that will help tackle testing challenges with greater speed and efficiency.
Freeman also notes that automation reduces the number of manual procedures staff must perform, which leads to greater standardization and consistency in labs, and better patient satisfaction and safety.
"Modern technology advancements afford laboratorians the ability to keep up with the testing demands of today's patients while improving turnaround time, quality of results, ease of use, and safety when handling patient samples," he writes. "The latest innovations and technological advancements also are helping to restore the clinical laboratory as an exciting place to establish one's career and address the pitfalls of understaffed laboratories."