Medical mass spectrometrist (MMS) training and certification: A key step to expanding routine clinical mass spectrometry usage in Japan

Mass spectrometry (MS) is increasingly used in clinical medicine in Japan. In contrast to the successful application of MS in clinical microbiology, the adoption of MS-based assays for routine testing in clinical chemistry is very slow. In order to promote the significant benefits that MS platforms bring to laboratory medicine and patient care, the Japanese Society for Biomedical Mass Spectrometry (JSBMS) initiated a medical mass spectrometrist (MMS) certification program in 2013. As of Dec 2018, 308 persons from various medical specialties have been certified. We believe that they will play significant roles for expanding routine clinical MS usage in Japan.