Objective: The aim of this survey was to investigate the problems of the newly graduated clinical biochemistry specialists (0-5 years of graduation) working at peripheral hospitals and to determine inadequacies of the specialty training.

Materials and Methods: A survey consisting of 19 questions was constructed to be given to 21 newly graduated clinical biochemistry specialists working at the peripheral hospitals. We aimed to work with fresh graduates who have just completed their specialty training. Questionnaire forms were distributed to participants by hand or via internet. Participants delivered their opinions by filling in the questionnaires. The results were expressed in numbers and percentages.

Results: The top two issues that were addressed for the specialty training period were preparation of technical specifications and material selection and purchasing (61.90%, 33.33%, respectively). The specialists ranked semen analysis in the first order as the topic they haven’t received any training both in theory and practice, followed by mass spectrometry, PCR-sequencer, nephelometry, therapeutic drug monitoring and toxicology of drugs (of abuse) monitoring (90.48%, 80.95%, 76.19%, 42.85%, 42.85%, respectively). The adequacy for active training about laboratory equipments was reported as 47.61% sufficient, 42.85% partially sufficient. None of the participants declared the nuclear medicine rotation necessary, instead 90.47% suggested a rotation in blood bank and transfusion unit, 80.95% in clinical microbiology, 57.14% in pediatrics and 52.38% in internal medicine. 76.20% of the participants reported quality control (QC) training as sufficient. 95.24% of the participants believed tha the QC studies must be referred as a legal responsibility. The most frequently used referral materials were ranked as textbooks (61.90%), articles in journals (%14.29) and congress participations (14.29%).

Conclusion: In this survey, it is demonstrated that newly graduated (0-5 years) clinical biochemistry specialists are in need of training in preparation of technical specifications, material selection and purchasing, laboratory management and quality control issues. It is realized that there is a standardization problem in education among clinical biochemistry specialists. It is clear that nuclear medicine rotatio has lost its importance.