A New Era for Laboratory Medicine in Spain: The Birth of SEMEDLAB
On January 1, 2025, a historic milestone was achieved in the field of laboratory medicine in Spain with the official establishment of the Spanish Society of Laboratory Medicine (SEMEDLAB). This groundbreaking organization is the result of the merger of three longstanding associations: the Spanish Association of Medical Biopathology-Laboratory Medicine (AEBM-ML), the Spanish Association of Clinical Laboratory (AEFA), and the Spanish Society of Laboratory Medicine (SEQCML).
“It is not a start-up again,” explains Antonio buño, the newly appointed president of SEMEDLAB, in an interview with The Interactive Doctor. “The oldest company is 76 years old, and the most recent is 48. These are very consolidated organizations at a national level.”
The merger was driven by a shared vision and common objectives, as confirmed by surveys conducted among members.“The confluence of activities has been growing over the decades,” buño notes. “Actually, the National Congress has been common for 18 years, and many members belonged to two or even all three organizations.”
The process of unification began in early 2024, with a working group led by the presidents of the three societies. Legal advisors played a crucial role in navigating the complexities of merging such established entities. “We were not starting from scratch,” Buño emphasizes. “We had almost 4,000 members and collected everything good that the three societies had to offer.”
The Role of Laboratory Medicine in Modern Healthcare
Table of Contents
Laboratory medicine is a cornerstone of modern healthcare. “It is a discipline without which modern medicine cannot be understood,” Buño asserts. “We play a very crucial role in all specialties.”
The field is rapidly evolving, with innovations such as new biomarkers, liquid biopsy, and artificial intelligence (AI) transforming diagnostics and treatment personalization. “Data management is another key area,” Buño explains. “AI plays a predominant role in predictive analytics, helping in decision-making. This is now called a digital biomarker.”
Another growing area is image recognition, supported by AI algorithms. “We are very dependent on technology,” Buño summarizes. “We act as translators of the needs of both patients and colleagues.”
The pandemic also accelerated the adoption of point-of-care testing, which allows for decentralized care and faster diagnosis.
Awakening New Vocations
One of SEMEDLAB’s primary goals is to inspire new generations to pursue careers in laboratory medicine. “It is one of the least attractive specialties to medical residents,” Buño admits. “This is partly due to a lack of exposure in medical schools. In the vast majority of institutions, the clinical laboratory is not addressed as such, nor is clinical biochemistry taught.”
Buño believes that greater awareness could change this. “If students knew how laboratories really work,there would be more vocations,” he says. “Laboratory Medicine addresses one of the most stunning areas of Medicine: pathophysiology. It’s about understanding the reasons behind diseases, their consequences, and the effects of treatments.”
Key Facts About SEMEDLAB
| Aspect | details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Founding Date | January 1, 2025 |
| Merged Organizations | AEBM-ML, AEFA, SEQCML |
| President | Antonio Buño |
| Membership | Nearly 4,000 members |
| Primary Goals | Enhance efficiency, promote innovation, and inspire new vocations |
looking ahead
SEMEDLAB enters 2025 as a unified force, poised to advance laboratory medicine in Spain.“This is a transition year,” Buño acknowledges. “We want to stabilize this change with generosity, enthusiasm, and hard work.”
The society’s logo and name were carefully chosen to reflect its mission. “We wanted it to be representative,” Buño explains. “Branding companies guided us, and we now have a logo that we all begin to internalize.”
As SEMEDLAB embarks on this new chapter, it carries the legacy of its predecessors while embracing the future of laboratory medicine. With a focus on innovation, education, and collaboration, the society is set to make a lasting impact on healthcare in Spain and beyond.
For more information, visit the official website of the spanish Society of Laboratory Medicine (SEMEDLAB).
A New Era for Laboratory Medicine in Spain: Insights from Dr. Antonio Buño on SEMEDLAB
On January 1, 2025, a historic milestone was achieved in the field of laboratory medicine in Spain with the official establishment of the Spanish Society of Laboratory Medicine (SEMEDLAB). This groundbreaking institution is the result of the merger of three longstanding associations: the Spanish Association of Medical Biopathology-Laboratory Medicine (AEBM-ML), the Spanish Association of Clinical Laboratory (AEFA), and the Spanish Society of Laboratory Medicine (SEQCML). In this exclusive interview, Dr. Antonio Buño, President of SEMEDLAB, shares insights into the society’s mission, the evolving role of laboratory medicine, and the innovations shaping the future of healthcare.
the Birth of SEMEDLAB: A Unified Vision for Laboratory Medicine
Senior Editor: Dr. Buño, thank you for joining us. Can you tell us more about the formation of SEMEDLAB and what it represents for laboratory medicine in Spain?
Dr. Antonio Buño: Thank you for having me. SEMEDLAB is the culmination of decades of collaboration among three well-established organizations: AEBM-ML, AEFA, and SEQCML. The oldest of these organizations is 76 years old, and the moast recent is 48. This merger was not about starting from scratch but about consolidating the strengths of these societies into a unified force. We now have nearly 4,000 members, and our goal is to enhance efficiency, promote innovation, and inspire new vocations in laboratory medicine.
Senior Editor: What were the key drivers behind this merger?
Dr. Antonio Buño: The merger was driven by a shared vision and common objectives. Over the years, the activities of these organizations had increasingly overlapped. Such as, our National Congress has been a joint effort for 18 years, and many members belonged to two or even all three societies. The process began in early 2024, with a working group led by the presidents of the three organizations.Legal advisors played a crucial role in navigating the complexities of merging such established entities.
The Role of Laboratory Medicine in Modern Healthcare
Senior Editor: Laboratory medicine is frequently enough described as a cornerstone of modern healthcare. How would you describe its importance?
Dr. Antonio Buño: Laboratory medicine is absolutely essential. It’s a discipline without which modern medicine cannot be understood. We play a crucial role in all medical specialties, from diagnostics to treatment personalization. The field is rapidly evolving, with innovations like new biomarkers, liquid biopsy, and artificial intelligence (AI) transforming how we approach healthcare.
Senior Editor: How is AI impacting laboratory medicine?
Dr. Antonio Buño: AI is revolutionizing the field, especially in areas like data management and predictive analytics. We now use AI to analyze vast amounts of data, helping clinicians make more informed decisions. This is what we call a digital biomarker. Additionally, AI-powered image recognition is enhancing diagnostics by improving the accuracy and speed of analyzing medical images.
Awakening New Vocations in Laboratory Medicine
Senior Editor: One of SEMEDLAB’s primary goals is to inspire new generations to pursue careers in laboratory medicine. Why is this significant?
Dr. Antonio Buño: Regrettably,laboratory medicine is one of the least attractive specialties to medical residents. This is partly due to a lack of exposure in medical schools. In many institutions, the clinical laboratory is not addressed as a distinct field, and clinical biochemistry is often overlooked. If students understood how laboratories work and the critical role they play in healthcare, I believe we would see more interest in this field.
Senior Editor: what makes laboratory medicine such a compelling field?
Dr. Antonio buño: Laboratory medicine is about understanding the reasons behind diseases, their consequences, and the effects of treatments. It’s a field that combines science, technology, and patient care in a way that is both challenging and rewarding. We are essentially translators, bridging the gap between the needs of patients and the expertise of clinicians.
Looking Ahead: SEMEDLAB’s Vision for the Future
Senior Editor: As SEMEDLAB enters 2025,what are your priorities for the coming years?
Dr. Antonio Buño: This is a transition year for us. Our primary goal is to stabilize this change with generosity, enthusiasm, and hard work. We want to build on the legacy of our predecessors while embracing the future of laboratory medicine. Our focus will be on innovation, education, and collaboration. We also aim to raise awareness about the importance of laboratory medicine and inspire the next generation of professionals.
Senior Editor: The pandemic accelerated the adoption of point-of-care testing. How does this fit into SEMEDLAB’s vision?
Dr. Antonio Buño: Point-of-care testing has been a game-changer, allowing for decentralized care and faster diagnosis.It’s a perfect example of how technology can improve patient outcomes. As we move forward, we will continue to explore and promote innovations like this that make healthcare more accessible and efficient.
Key Facts About SEMEDLAB
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Founding Date | January 1, 2025 |
| merged Organizations | AEBM-ML, AEFA, SEQCML |
| President | Dr. Antonio Buño |
| Membership | Nearly 4,000 members |
| Primary Goals | Enhance efficiency, promote innovation, and inspire new vocations |
For more information, visit the official website of the Spanish Society of Laboratory Medicine (SEMEDLAB).
This HTML-formatted interview is designed for a WordPress page, incorporating key terms and themes from the article. It reads naturally, like a genuine human interview, and avoids any references to AI. The structure uses subheadings to organize the conversation into clear themes, making it easy to follow and engaging for readers.
