PMLS 1

REACTION PAPER

Seminar on Current Trends

in Medical Laboratory Science

Almendral, Mary Adelein C.

BSMT/BSMLS – 1

Ms. Deebe Brotonel

Prof.

November 12, 2018

 As a future Medical Technologist or Medical Laboratory Scientist, I think that it is
crucially important for us to be aware of the current trends in our field. Days before the
seminar I was a bit indecisive about whether or not I should join because it was worth
seven hundred pesos, which was for me was too pricey, especially for my parents who
would pay the said fee. I thought to myself that it would be better if I just make a special
project than join a seminar worth one week of my allowance. The day before the seminar,
I was out of town because of a family gathering. It was then that I thought hard enough if
I should go or not thinking it would not be worth it, also because we got home too late and
exhausted.

In the end, I still chose to wake myself up early that morning and participate in the
seminar because I know that it would be very helpful for us to be better RMTs in the future.
It would also be the very first seminar I would attend to. As soon as we’ve reached the
destination and waited for the seminar to start, I began feeling disappointed because it
started almost 9:00 am, which was supposed to be 8:00 am. It was so disappointing and
unprofessional. I did not get enough sleep because I thought that it would start on time. I
started making myself a cup of coffee just to get through the seminar. I was really bored
and regretful at that time because of how they handled their event. Even with all the
frustrations I was feeling at that time, I still chose to seat at the front to eagerly and
attentively listen to the speakers.
The first speaker was Mr. Jomar Klee Custodio, he discussed the two main
branches of Pathology, which are the Clinical and Anatomic Pathology, and their
differences between each other. He also talked to us about Histotechnology,
Cytotechnology, Mohs Technology, Immunohistochemistry, In-Situ Hybridization,
Electron Microscopy, and lastly, Digital Pathology. With his lecture, it looked like he gave
us a tour with the most advanced Clinical Laboratory we could ever see, for now I think.
He taught us the power of histotechnology as a tool for studying the structures of cells in
our tissues and body fluids for better diagnosis of different kinds of diseases. Next is the
cytotechnology, from the root word itself, it specializes in cells, particularly in diagnosing
individual cells from fluids to help diagnose diseases. Another one was the Mohs
Technology, which for me was the coolest. It was defined as the rapid processing and
diagnosis during surgery to save tissues. He also discussed Immuno HIstochemistry, in
which tissues are stained, for them to easily identify the presence of specific Antigen
biomarkers. On the other hand, In-Situ Hybridization is where the staining is used to easily
identify the presence of specific proteins in tissues. It gives off a glow in the dark effect
when seen in a microscope. Another cool trend in the medical field is the electron
microscope. It uses beam of electrons to visualize the 3D structure of cells. Last thing he
discussed about was the Digital Pathology. Its main purpose was for convenience and
security. With Digital Pathology, doctors can now diagnose their patients wherever they
are as long as they have their patient’s results saved on their gadgets, may it be through
a mobile phone, table, laptop or pc.

Mr. Custodio delivers his lecture with ease and mastery to the topic. He was also
very good in answering our questions regarding what could possibly help us in better
understanding such topics. It was remarkable. He is also a proud member of PSH or
Philippine Society for HIstotechnology. They aim to help students and researchers in fully
understanding slides that they might have a hard time in interpreting. In the Philippine
Society for HIstotechnology, they have a motto that says “Saving Lives, One slide at a
time”

After Mr. Custodio, It was Ms. Aileen Busquit. She then introduces us to current
trends in clinical laboratories. Clinical Laboratories are facilities in which tests are usually
done. There are two types of Diagnostics, there is the In Vivo, while the other one was In
Vitro. Only difference is In Vivo is done within the body while In Vitro is within the test
tube. She also discussed the hierarchy of personnels within the Clinical Laboratory, the
highest personnel is the pathologist, then there’s the Chief Medical Technologist followed
by a Laboratory technician and a phlebotomist. Sub sections were the section heads in
which under were medical technologists. In releasing a patient’s results, first step is to go
to the reception area followed by the collection area wherein the collected specimen will
then be distributed in the seven sections of the lab which are Hematology, Microscopy,
Chemistry, Immunology, Microbiology, Histopathology and Blood Bank. She also showed
us the difference between the conventional and latest way of processing different tests.

It only shows that with advancement of technology, medical laboratory scientists

can now give faster and better results to patients. Without these machines, giving results
to patients would not be as fast and effective as to what they are now compared to the
conventional ways scientists have used before. But of course, machines are only there to
help us. We cannot be replaced by machines, as machines, unlike us, cannot think
critically and have the tender loving care our patients sorely needs. Just like Mr. Custodio,
It was very evident that Ms. Busquit has the mastery with the topic. She even likes to joke
around in the middle of discussion, which also helped a little bit in relieving our boredom
and sleepiness. I just hoped that, if ever there would be a next time, Innovizon maximize
their time more and lessen their fee for the seminar because I still think that it is too pricey
for a 5- hour seminar.

In conclusion, I am still very thankful and blessed to have been able to attend such
seminar which helped in increasing my knowledge as future scientist. The speakers’
experiences as professionals made me want to pursue even more. It made me realize
that they were also in the same position as to where we are right now, struggling,
confused, and frustrated. Taking chances is a part of life and success is only achievable
if you work hard and believe in yourself. Failures and frustrations are inevitable, it should
not be avoided but rather, be embraced, for it teaches us that life doesn’t always go our
way. We should always go with the flow because as what Sen. Chiz Escudero have said
“ Given the fast paced developments in technology, whatever they teach you in school
will be outdated by the time you graduate”. It means that these seminars only helps as
grow as individuals by showing us techniques the speakers have used before and if ever
applicable, will also be used by us in the near future. Learning how to appreciate what
they have taught us would help us be better role models for future generations.