Graduate and postgraduate state university education of laboratory specialists in Hungary: medical doctors, pharmacists and laboratory analysts

Abstract

The authors focus on the description of graduate and postgraduate training of specialists working in clinical laboratories in Hungary. All training schemes are regulated by government decrees and, after obtaining an MSc degree, medical doctors and pharmacists may enter a specialty program for Medical Laboratory Diagnostics. For biologists, chemists and medical research laboratory analysts with an MSc degree a clinical biochemistry specialty training program is open. Regulated by law, the trainings are uniform in Hungary and are assigned to accredited medical universities. The candidates should complete a 26-month core program followed by 36 months' specific education. After a successful final examination including both practical skills and theoretical questions, specialists get a full license which will enable them to supervise laboratory work and validate test results. Laboratory specialists should join a continuous (lifelong) learning program and collect scores by attending special training courses. To receive a scientific degree, specialists may join PhD programs at any of the accredited universities.