The Role of Medical Laboratory Science in the Entertainment Industry

Image of an MLS holding a video camera generated by DALLE 3.

Aim:

To critically examine the possibilities, opportunities, and impact that can be found when expertise in the Medical Laboratory Science profession is taken outside the bench into the terrain of fun, play, and laughter.

Given:

The interconnectedness of human life, underrepresentation and misrepresentation of healthcare professionals in the media, health literacy, and combating health misinformation.

Method:

Expository Essay

Principle:

A healthcare professional who deals with biological specimens at the junction of life and death has anything to do with a professional whose main job is to provide amusement and relaxation. If we were to be in an alternate universe where personal protective equipment is considered costumes and movies are recorded using microscopes, perhaps we might be able to draw some comparisons. However, this is not so. In fact, the closest word that the Medical Laboratory Scientist has in their vicinity that bears some similarity with entertainment – the (surgical) theatre– is not one where Med. Lab. Scientists are known to make an appearance, unlike other healthcare professionals. At a glance, Medical Laboratory Science and entertainment are worlds apart. What then is the meeting point between these two fields? What case can be made for their compatibility and what does humanity stand to gain from such a union? These are the issues that will be examined in this article.

Procedure: 

Defining entertainment is one of those essay questions you'd rather skip in an examination hall and look for easier ones. Although even secondary school students understand the concept of entertainment, putting words to it in a way that is academically cohesive and encompassing is a great hassle. This great dilemma lies in the reality that entertainment is intricately linked with human lifestyle. As a concept, it's ubiquitous but as a definition, it is ambiguous. 

This ambiguity is fueled by the different ways each field and individual recast entertainment to suit their specific circumstances. So when you ask the star of a comedy movie, he'd probably see it as a job while it's all fun and jokes to the cinema-goer. Athletes see sports as bone-cracking and joint-dislocating full-time jobs but for the spectators who are only a couple of meters away from that same field, they'll beg to differ in that very instant.

While it might be difficult to get a consensus on what constitutes entertainment in the current age, it is helpful to cast a look to the past for some insights. The root word “entertain” is said to have a French and Latin origin made up of inter (among) and tenir (to hold). When translated by the Oxford English Dictionary, it settled on “to engage, keep occupied, the attention, thoughts, or time (of a person)". Other words associated with entertain include “pleasure”, “delight” and “merry-making”. A robust explanation that is also suitable for this article is provided by Calvacanti and his colleagues who looked at entertainment from four perspectives: as a product, an experience, culture, and communication. These 4 elements will be borrowed to advance the narrative of this article.

MLS in Sports

Starting with familiar grounds, Medical Laboratory Science is an indispensable tool in the world of modern sports. Sport is a form of entertainment that falls into the experience and product category because it deals with feelings and pleasure with a $160 billion industry built around it. To achieve a credible sporting system and the optimal performance of athletes, MLS also called Laboratory Medicine plays a crucial role. It goes without saying that preventive medicine is way better than corrective medicine and in a field where the human body is expected to work at the highest physical standard, every means to ensure optimal performance and reduce injury matters. With the tools at the disposal of Medical Laboratory Scientists, they can conduct several analytical and diagnostic tests that help to understand homeostasis, hormones, complete blood count, biochemistry parameters, urinary tract, epigenetics, cardiovascular health, metabolic processes, and gut microbiome.

A schematic diagram of the various categories of diagnostic tests done by athletes by De Gruyter

All of these ensure the possibility of developing precise and meticulous management of each athlete from their nutrition to their exercise regime, and how they practice them. With this approach, the risk of injuries is reduced and each athlete is empowered to perform according to their unique biological makeup. 

One can also find MLS in the middle of one of the most controversial aspects of sport – doping and gender tests. According to International Esport Federation, “doping is the administering or an attempt to administer a prohibited substance or method to an athlete”. To confirm if an athlete is guilty of this career-altering crime, MLS also holds a very vital role. This includes determination of the presence of such known substances, the dosage of such substances, and coming up with innovative ways to detect other previously unknown substances that might fall into the category of performance-enhancing substances. There are also specific tests such as cheek swab test (buccal smear) that is used for sex determination and measurement of testosterone levels in athletes. If the case of the

MLS in Communication

Oftentimes, entertainment serves as a means of communicating ideals and shaping societal opinions. In a world where there is significant proof that attention is the most valuable commodity, Medical Laboratory Scientists cannot afford not to be a merchant in such a business. We live in an era where information is very crucial due to its impact that cuts across all facets of human life. The impact has also been amplified by the modern technology accessible to us and the use of social media. This has informed new trends in Health and Science Communication where scientists are encouraged not to speak only in research journals but also find creative ways to express the importance of their work and how it affects human health. This has been a growing trend in the annals of public health. Although it begs the question of if the likes of Dr Chinonso Egemba (Aproko Doctor), Dr Chioma Nwakanma-Akanno (Dr Zobo) and other public health educators are not doing enough, there is however a special place for the Medical Laboratory scientist that can’t be filled. This can be seen in the fields of infectious diseases, vaccination, antimicrobial resistance, pandemics, and other outbreaks. These are fields that Medical Laboratory Scientists have a unique perspective of and therefore can help inform health literacy, health equity, medical ethics and combating misinformation. Medical Laboratory Scientists can play a significant role by employing new media such as blogging, podcasts, and social media - this is one of the things done by MedLabConvo.

Medical Laboratory Scientists can also use other channels like TV, casting for a role of Medical Laboratory Scientists in movies, or serving as consultants for scriptwriters. One particular healthcare provider, Northwell Health has hacked this area with their award-winning documentaries that mostly focus on telling the stories of healthcare providers. One of such documentaries is The First Wave that got an Oscar nomination.

The First Wave director Matthew Heineman and those featured in the documentary film take part in a Q&A session after the New York City premiere at the Beacon Theatre on November 18. Photo Credit: 21st Century Fox

It will be appropriate to turn the camera through a 180-degree angle at this point to see if the Medical Laboratory scientist also has anything to gain by dabbling into entertainment. Fortunately, research has shown that to be a possibility. The lack of depiction or the misrepresentation of healthcare workers has a far-reaching impact that cuts across public trust, public opinion about such a profession, and acceptance. These go a long way in determining the growth of such a profession in ways that include how their interests are being considered by policymakers and leaders. It also touches on the quantity and quality of human resources that such a profession can attract. Being a profession that operates beyond the peering eyes of the public, Medical Laboratory Science has not been on the good side of the media profession going by the trends. While it is understandable that the medical laboratory is not a camera/media-friendly place, we can always bring the lab to the theatres and TV screens through set simulation and the use of modern technology like computer-generated imagery. 

Comments: 

A critical look at the reality of the Medical Laboratory Scientist and one evident factor is the need to normalize exploring terrains beyond the usual bench. Fortunately, the entertainment industry provides another reason, another field, and adventure to be explored especially by the creatively inclined individuals in the profession. Rather than see themselves as the proverbial black sheep, it will be helpful for them to come into the consciousness of the unique vacuum that can only be filled by individuals with their unique blend of medical laboratory exposure and creative energy.

Institutions and administrators should also encourage the nurturing of these talents through extracurricular activities that promote creativity, storytelling, and other forms of arts. With these, the Medical Laboratory Science profession can be opened up to more opportunities, possibilities, and the breath of innovation that can foster growth in line with modern trends.