Students' Perceptions of Laboratory Science Careers: Changing Ideas with an Education Module

Daniel Haun; Argie P Leach; Louann W Lawrence; Patsy Jarreau

doi:10.29074/ascls.18.4.226

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Daniel Haun, MT(ASCP)H⇑
1. is Director of Client Services, Pathology Department, Medical Center of Louisiana at New Orleans LA
Argie P Leach, MHS MT(ASCP) SH
1. is Competency and Safety Coordinator, Pathology Department, Medical Center of Louisiana at New Orleans LA
Louann W Lawrence, DrPH CLS(NCA)
1. is Professor and Department Head, Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, LSU Health Sciences Center, New Orleans LA
Patsy Jarreau, MHS CLS(NCA)
1. is Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, LSU Health Sciences Center, New Orleans LA

Address for correspondence: Daniel E Haun, Pathology Department, Medical Center of Louisiana, 1532 Tulane Ave, New Orleans LA 70112. (504) 903-7528, (504) 903-5634 (fax). dhaun{at}lsuhsc.edu

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of a Web-based education module in changing students' perceptions of laboratory science careers.

DESIGN: Perception was measured with a short examination and then a Web-based exercise was presented. Following the exercise, the test was administered again. Frequency data from the pre-test and post-test were compared for changes in perception. The correlated pre-test/post-test pairs were also examined for opinion changes and these were analyzed for significance.

SETTING: Large parochial high schools in New Orleans, Louisiana. A small team visited the schools during their appointed class times for biology.

PARTICIPANTS: Study participants were high school biology students in grades 9–10. Two-hundred-forty-five students participated (149 male and 96 female).

INTERVENTIONS: A Web-based exercise on blood film examination was presented to the students in a classroom setting (www.mclno.org/labpartners/index_03.htm). The exercise contained focused messages about: 1) the numbers of healthcare workers acquiring AIDS from on-the-job exposure and 2) common career paths available to the laboratory science workforce.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The shift in perception of:

what medical service generates the most diagnostic data
which professional group performs laboratory tests
the risk of acquiring AIDS while working in the health-care setting
interest in a science-related career
how much education is required to work in a science-related field

RESULTS: The intervention significantly shifted perception in all areas measured except that of interest in a science-related career.

CONCLUSIONS: Many students perceive that the risk of acquiring AIDS while working in the healthcare setting is “high”. Web-based presentations and similar partnerships with science teachers can change perceptions that might lead to increased interest in clinical laboratory science careers.

ABBREVIATIONS: CCCLW = Coordinating Council on the Clinical Laboratory Workforce; CLS = clinical laboratory scientist; CLT = clinical laboratory technician.