Teaching clinical chemistry in central European countries--past and present.

Central Europe is traditionally referred to as the area occupied by the former Eastern Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Hungary. In all of these countries great emphasis is placed on teaching clinical chemistry and biochemical pathology, both at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. In Czech Republic and in Poland analysis of blood, urine, body fluids, exudates and secretions as well as the fundamentals of interpretation of morbid states in biochemical terms are taught as an independent subject taking from 60 to 90 h of lectures, seminars and practical training. In Hungary, the fundamentals of clinical chemistry and biochemical pathology are included in courses of biochemistry, pathology and in clinical subjects, such as internal medicine and pediatrics. The postgraduate study of clinical biochemistry, which yields in all mid-European countries a certificate of specialisation in laboratory diagnostics (Poland), or clinical pathology (Czech Republic, Hungary), is based on at least 5 years experience in laboratory medicine and then extended studies including clinical biochemistry, haematology, cytology, microbiology, as well as the fundamentals of toxicology and immunology. A basic background in clinical practice is also required. In all countries in the area there also exists a well developed postgraduate education for laboratory workers without a medical background. These people can apply for a certificate in medical analytics (Poland), but they cannot work as clinical pathologists or laboratory diagnostic consultants.