A Comprehensive Assessment Plan for Medical Laboratory Science Programs

Hassan A. Aziz; Patricia Tille

doi:10.29074/ascls.2018000190

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Table 1.

A matrix for the relationship between program goals and educational objectives

Program Goals	Educational Objectives
Program Goals	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Theoretical knowledge	√		√	√	√		√	√
Practical skills		√		√	√		√
Critical thinking	√	√	√	√		√		√
Research	√	√	√	√	√	√	√
Communication skills	√		√		√
Ethics	√	√		√		√	√	√
Lifelong learning	√		√	√	√	√		√

A checkmark (√) indicates the program goal is served by the respective educational objective.

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Table 2.

An example of a curriculum map for a baccalaureate degree in MLS

Coursework	Educational Objectives
Coursework	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Biology I	I
General chemistry	I
Organic chemistry	D
Biochemistry	D	I		I
Anatomy and physiology	D	I		I
General microbiology	D	I		I
Clinical chemistry I	D	I		D	I	I	I
Hematology I	D	I		D	I	I	I
Medical microbiology	D	D		D	I	I	I
Clinical chemistry II	M	D	I/D	M	I	I	D	I
Hematology II	M	D	I/D	M	D	D	D	I
Diagnostic microbiology	M	D	I/D	M	D	D	D	I
Body fluids	M	D	I/D	D	D	D	D	I
Immunology and serology	M	D	I/D	D	D	D	D	I
Transfusion medicine	M	D	I/D	M	D	D	D	I
Internship courses		M	M		M	M		D
Capstone course	M		M	M		M		M
Research project		M	M	M	M	M	M	M

I, Introduce; D, Develop; M: Master.

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Table 3.

Assessment table

Year	Objective	Assessment Activity	Course Used for Assessment	Target
1	Acquire knowledge related to the field of medical laboratory science.	Quiz	Clinical chemistry I	At least 75% of students achieve a score of 3 or more on a 4-level scale rubric.
1	Acquire knowledge related to the field of medical laboratory science.	Analytical written essay	Transfusion medicine	At least 75% of students achieve a score of 3 or more on a 4-level scale rubric.
1	Gain practical skills in order to conduct competent laboratory testing.	Case study	Medical microbiology	At least 75% of students achieve a score of 3 or more on a 4-level scale rubric.
1	Gain practical skills in order to conduct competent laboratory testing.	Case study	Medical parasitology	At least 75% of students achieve a score of 3 or more on a 4-level scale rubric.
1	Develop communication skills.	Affective behavior	Hematology I	At least 75% of students achieve a score of 3 or more on a 4-level scale rubric.
1	Develop a commitment to lifelong learning and professional development.	Essay	Capstone course	At least 75% of students achieve a score of 3 or more on a 4-level scale rubric.
1	Develop communication skills.	Affective behavior	Diagnostic microbiology	At least 75% of students achieve a score of 3 or more on a 4-level scale rubric.
2	Enhance critical thinking skills.	Presentation	Immunology and serology	At least 75% of students achieve a score of 3 or more on a 4-level scale rubric.
2	Enhance critical thinking skills.	Debate	Capstone course	At least 75% of students achieve a score of 3 or more on a 4-level scale rubric.
2	Demonstrate positive professional ethics, attitudes, and practices.	Essay	Laboratory management	At least 75% of students achieve a score of 3 or more on a 4-level scale rubric.
2	Demonstrate positive professional ethics, attitudes, and practices.	Essay	Hematology II	At least 75% of students achieve a score of 3 or more on a 4-level scale rubric.
2	Employ modern information technology.	Lab experiment	Clinical chemistry II	At least 75% of students achieve a score of 3 or more on a 4-level scale rubric.
2	Develop a commitment to lifelong learning and professional development.	Community project	Internship courses	At least 75% of students achieve a score of 3 or more on a 4-level scale rubric.
2	Employ modern information technology.	Interactive skills	Body fluids	At least 75% of students achieve a score of 3 or more on a 4-level scale rubric.
2	Conduct research applicable to medical laboratory diagnostics and the improvement of patient care.	Research project	Research project	At least 75% of students achieve a score of 3 or more on a 4-level scale rubric.

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Table 4.

Action plan matrix

Recommendation	Rationale	Action to be Taken	Responsibility	Due Date
Improve communication skills in students when interacting with peers and other professionals	Evidence from assessment report that supports the recommendation	Specific and precise	Name of the responsible person	Completion date of proposed action