The holistic approach to teach laboratory medicine.

Laboratory diagnostics has undergone relevant changes in organization and complexity, providing new opportunities and risks. The skill and expertise required for laboratory professionals to fulfil the need of a continuously evolving scenario in diagnostics embrace now a variety of scientific, managerial and organizational issues. Translating into clinical practice new insights from basic science, particularly regarding omics, requires construction of a new and complex core curriculum for laboratory professionals. In addition, the integration of different areas of diagnostics within the same laboratory service is expected to improve efficiency and effectiveness.