Challenges of medical laboratory science and medical laboratory technology program directors

Abstract

Concerns facing the directors of NAACLS accredited Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) and Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) programs were investigated. A survey of 26 questions was sent using SurveyMonkey® to program directors of 441 NAACLS accredited MLS and MLT programs throughout the United States. The survey included questions on recruitment, enrollment, retention, faculty, budget, clinical affiliation, research and scholarly activity. Demographic information related to the program type and location was also included. Data from 242 (54.8%) respondents revealed that enrollment has increased or remained the same in 212 (87.6%) of the programs. For both MLS and MLT programs with concerns about recruitment, these were most often related to lack of knowledge about the profession 77 (31.8%). Only 37(15.3%) of the programs had a designated recruiter and only 68 (28.1%) had a marketing plan. Concerns related to clinical placements were reported by 189 (78.1%) of the respondents. The program director was the only full time faculty member in 81 (33.5%) of the programs; 129 (53.3%) reported securing faculty is a concern. Chi-square analysis revealed program dependent concerns with recruitment, retention, budget, faculty, and clinical affiliation. Logistic regression analysis revealed program dependent concerns with recruitment, retention, budget, faculty, and clinical affiliation. Identification of these concerns is an important step for program directors to identify options and to create successful program strategies.