Proposed Modification to a MLS Program for Better Student Preparation

ABSTRACT

The Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) program looked at a different way to deliver the professional year curriculum to better prepare students for clinical rotations. The professional year consists of lectures in the clinical courses running concurrently with clinical rotations. Over several years, some of the clinical affiliates felt the students were not as well prepared didactically as students from other programs. They also felt a 3-day per week rotation schedule was not enough time for the students to learn all aspects of a laboratory section. Based on these comments, a change was made for the 2016–2017 academic year. During the first 7 weeks of the semester, students were in class 5 days a week to take all the clinical course material. The final 8 weeks of the semester were for rotations, which were also 5 days per week. After the year, surveys were sent to the affiliates, students, and faculty to comment on the changes. Both students and faculty did not like the changes made. Faculty felt pressured to complete the didactic material in a shorter amount of time. Students felt they did not have enough study time before an examination was given on the material. The clinical affiliates were split about the changes made. The majority indicated that students were only somewhat better prepared. Results of performance on the American Society for Clinical Pathology certification examination were not as good as in the past. Thus, the MLS program will return to the previous preparation of students for rotation.