The Lab Report Podcast: Enhancing the Visibility and Communication of Laboratory Medicine

In The Wizard of Oz, the famous line “Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!” reveals the hidden wizard. Similarly, within the intricate interplay of healthcare roles and resources, one critical element remains hidden behind another proverbial curtain: the field of laboratory medicine. And, like the wizard, it’s now time for a grand reveal. The lack of public visibility and inadequate science communication in laboratory medicine demands attention, as it undermines its role in healthcare, breadth of knowledge, and career potential (1). While other aspects of healthcare are obvious to the public, the valuable work of clinical laboratories remains enshrouded in a black box. Despite claims that clinical laboratories provide approximately 90% of objective data in medical records and influence 60% to 70% of clinical decisions, there is limited evidence due to difficulties in documenting outcomes (2). Shortages of medical laboratory technologists and scientists are attributed to poor visibility, minimal recognition, low wages, and perceived minimal career advancement (3). The International Federation for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine Task Force on Outcome Studies in Laboratory Medicine works to identify evidence supporting the value of laboratory medicine (2). Lack of visibility in laboratory medicine and poor public engagement may contribute to declining trust in scientists and negative views of science, particularly evident since the COVID-19 pandemic. Trust in scientists in the United States dropped from 35% in 2019 to 23% in 2023, with a 16% decrease in the perception of its positive societal impact (4). Even scientists report waning confidence in their work (5). Despite this, respect for scientists remains higher than for other professionals, with one survey reporting either a lot (34%) or some (41%) confidence (5). Laboratory scientists must enhance public engagement through proactive communication to address these issues. Effective communication with the public in healthcare poses unique challenges. The pandemic highlighted issues of suboptimal communication with oversimplifications and downplaying of uncertainties. To address this, podcasts have emerged as a powerful communications tool. Podcasts like Laborastories: The Podcast (Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine) and Lab Medicine Rounds (Mayo Clinic) target the clinical laboratory community. However, to illuminate the vital role of laboratory professionals to an audience outside of the laboratory, we must become better storytellers. The Education and Public Outreach in Clinical Chemistry Committee of the Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists (CSCC) launched The Lab Report podcast in March 2022. The goal is to provide an accessible platform to discuss clinical biochemistry in a conversational tone with personalized exploration and stories relatable to the broad public. The podcast features interviews with laboratory professionals and other healthcare providers who demystify the laboratory by offering behind-the-scenes glimpses into real-world cases. In the episode “What’s Wrong with My A1c?”, we discuss a falsely elevated hemoglobin A1c result due to a method-dependent interference, pushing it into the diabetic range. The physician, who fortunately only recommended lifestyle changes, and the patient were grateful for the accurate result. This case underscores clinical laboratories’ critical role in patient care and highlights how diagnostic stewardship involves collaboration among laboratory professionals, clinicians, and patients to provide the right test at the right time, ensuring optimal outcomes. Since its launch, The Lab Report has released 15 episodes, attracting a worldwide audience with thousands of listeners who engage with over 80% of each episode. The top three episodes cover “The Opioid Crisis,” “What’s Wrong with My A1c?,” and a roundtable on becoming a clinical biochemist. With positive public response, the podcast has been a valuable linkage tool for traditional and social media to the CSCC and the clinical chemistry profession. Furthermore, it challenges the interviewers and interviewees to use clear storytelling and avoid jargon. Future plans include social media advertising and collaboration with organizations like the CSCC and the Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine to expand outreach and gather demographic insights for targeted engagements (e.g., to students). The podcast also provides a platform for recognizing professionals and introducing the profession through letters, presentations, and other communications to key audiences. Effective science communication is vital to enhance laboratory medicine visibility and rebuild trust in scientists. Engaging the public can create a ripple effect of awareness, opening the curtains to the clinical laboratory and transforming its professionals from invisible wizards to recognized contributors to the healthcare ecosystem. The next steps are our path to forge. As Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, says: “You’ve always had the power my dear, you just had to learn it yourself.” The Lab Report is freely available and can be found on all podcast platforms. For the full archive, visit https://cscc-sccc.ca/education-scientific-affairs/the-lab-report-podcast/. Author Contributions: The corresponding author takes full responsibility that all authors on this publication have met the following required criteria of eligibility for authorship: (a) significant contributions to the conception and design, acquisition of data, or analysis and interpretation of data; (b) drafting or revising the article for intellectual content; (c) final approval of the published article; and (d) agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the article thus ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the article are appropriately investigated and resolved. Nobody who qualifies for authorship has been omitted from the list. Authors’ Disclosures or Potential Conflicts of Interest: Upon manuscript submission, all authors completed the author disclosure form. Research Funding: None declared. Disclosures: F. Leung, consulting fees from Alpha Laboratories; payment for expert testimony from Fluxergy. L.A. Beach, Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists (CSCC) Council Meeting travel support; Division Head for Public Outreach with CSCC.

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