Division Introduction

The Research Division conducts research projects for laboratory quality improvement and collaborative projects with external organizations. Through cooperation with major organizations such as the National Health Insurance Service and the National Cancer Center, the division participates in national laboratory quality management programs, including health screening institution assessment and cancer screening quality management.

Laboratory Quality Improvement Research Program

As the Foundation's representative research support program operated since 2009, the Research Division of the Laboratory Medicine Foundation annually invites and supports quality improvement research projects to promote the development of diagnostic testing in Korea and improve testing quality. Based on a fair and transparent review system, the program provides an environment in which diverse researchers can participate, and the Foundation seeks to develop together with members so that research outcomes generated through these projects can spread back to field improvement.

• Call for proposals and guidance for submission of research plans: January to February each year.
• Research period: within nine months from the contract date.

National Health Insurance Service Health Screening Institution Assessment Project

The health screening institution assessment project, commissioned by the National Health Insurance Service, is an important project for systematically managing and improving the laboratory quality of health screening institutions nationwide. In this project, comprehensive assessment is performed according to standardized criteria to ensure the accuracy and reliability of diagnostic tests performed by screening institutions, and the quality of testing at screening institutions is checked through document assessment and on-site survey. This continuous assessment and feedback process contributes to improving the reliability of national health screening and providing the public with more accurate and consistent test results.

National Cancer Center Cancer Screening Quality Management Project

The cancer screening quality management project conducted in cooperation with the National Cancer Center is one of the major projects to ensure the accuracy and reliability of national cancer screening. Quality management is performed based on standardized guidelines to maintain the consistency and precision of test results performed by cancer screening institutions. In particular, the division is responsible for quality management of AFP testing for liver cancer screening and fecal occult blood testing for colorectal cancer screening, and continuously reviews quality throughout the testing process. These activities play an important role in improving the overall reliability of the national cancer screening program and contributing to public health through early diagnosis.

Response to External Consultation Requests

The Research Division reviews and responds professionally and systematically to various consultation requests from related organizations. The division provides reliable consultation based on scientific evidence and the latest guidance for inquiries regarding systems, policies, and standards related to diagnostic testing. In particular, for matters requiring improvement of testing-related systems, the division comprehensively analyzes domestic and international standards and cases to propose effective improvement measures and provides expert opinions during policy development. Through this work, the division seeks to promote standardization and quality improvement in the testing environment and contribute to the rational development of related systems.