5 Strategies for Leading Young Laboratory Scientists in Uncertain Times

Over the past five years, medical laboratories and public health laboratories in the US have faced many challenges. 

While the COVID-19 pandemic brought about many of those issues—such as financial constraints, supply chain disruptions, a lack of guidance and resources, massive workforce shortages, and a leadership vacuum—the recent rise in anti-science sentiment poses/raises an even more fundamental challenge to the field, especially on what the future may look like for students and young professionals entering these fields.

With the change in US leadership on January 20, the landscape for public health, medicine, research, and many other professions is undergoing a rapid and difficult transition. 

The primary scope of these changes includes:

• Policy reversals and executive actions 
• Healthcare policy reforms
• Changes to public health information access
• Changes to gender-affirming care policies
• Research publication and communication restrictions
• Cabinet appointments that directly affect health policy 

Each of these changes are key legal and policy shifts that affect US healthcare.

While these changes are complex, the purpose of this article is not to go into detail about what is coming our way, but to callout how these policy changes are affecting laboratorians day-to-day and what laboratory leaders can do about it.

How will US policy changes affect the future of laboratory medicine?

         

As these legal and healthcare policy shifts have only begun to unfold, many clinical laboratory managers are worried about their potential effects on the future generations of the workforce. 

For the past several years, I and many of my colleagues have been working and meeting regularly to discuss workforce concerns—namely the shortage of laboratory personnel in the US. 

According to a 2023 press release from the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), “A significant number of laboratory professionals—experts at performing patient laboratory testing—have left the workforce due to retirement, others because of the burnout from the COVID-19 pandemic. On top of this, many accredited training programs have closed. 

“As a result, the number of qualified laboratory professionals has rapidly declined, and this has the potential to disrupt the delivery of high-quality patient care.” 

The Medical and Public Health Laboratory Workforce Coalition was formed in response to this concerning trend. A coalition of more than 20 national and regional laboratory, pathology, and other healthcare associations, it was formed to help rebuild the medical laboratory workforce.   

So far, as a coalition, we have seen positive results from our efforts in both recruitment and retention, and we hope to maintain these trends in spite of current policy shifts in the US.

How are recent policy shifts affecting management, education, and career development in public health and laboratory medicine?

The ongoing dismantling of our public health and other aligned institutions and infrastructure is already affecting today’s students and young professionals. 

In my daily interactions, many are voicing their concerns and asking “where is this profession’s future headed?” with respect to career opportunities, salary, public respect and trust, and future employment and retirement benefits. 

The concerns that I hear about the most usually touch on the following themes:

• Undermined trust in science: Widespread misinformation and skepticism about the scientific process can make young professionals feel that their work is undervalued or even actively opposed by the public.
• Increased hostility and burnout: Facing public distrust, harassment, or even threats—especially during health crises—can lead to stress and burnout, making the profession less appealing.
• Reduced funding and support: Anti-science attitudes may influence policy decisions, leading to budget cuts for research, laboratories, and public health initiatives, limiting career growth and innovation opportunities.
• Job insecurity: If science-driven policies are disregarded, public health and healthcare roles may become politically unstable, causing uncertainty for those entering the field.
• Ethical and moral struggles: Professionals may struggle with the ethical dilemma of working in a field where scientific facts are frequently ignored or politicized, affecting job satisfaction.

This type of difficult working environment may push talented people away from these critical fields, worsening workforce shortages and weakening public health infrastructure. 

During the coming years, it will be more important than ever for laboratory leaders to manage and lead their teams effectively through these uncertain times, including by addressing the effects of anti-science sentiment on young professionals.

Here are 5 strategies laboratory leaders and managers can use to support their staff through these challenging times:

1. Strengthen internal support

Creating a positive, mission-driven workplace culture helps reinforce the value of laboratory work, keeping young professionals engaged and motivated despite external skepticism.

2. Enhance communication and advocacy 

Leaders should proactively communicate the importance of laboratory science to the public and policymakers, combating misinformation and advocating for funding and support.

3. Provide professional development

Investing in training, mentorship, and career growth opportunities reassures new professionals of their long-term prospects and importance in the field.

4. Foster resilience and mental well-being

Addressing burnout through mental health resources, stress management programs, and peer support networks can help retain young professionals.

5. Ensure job stability and innovation

Leaders should work to secure funding, diversify revenue streams, and implement new technologies to keep laboratories adaptive and sustainable.

 Sustaining a strong, motivated laboratory workforce

By fostering a supportive and forward-thinking environment, laboratory leaders can help mitigate the negative effects of anti-science sentiment and help sustain a strong, motivated workforce in medical and public health laboratories.