RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Students' Perceptions of Laboratory Science Careers: Changing Ideas with an Education Module
JF American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science
JO Clin Lab Sci
FD American Society of Chemistry and Laboratory Science
SP 226
OP 232
DO 10.29074/ascls.18.4.226
VO 18
IS 4
A1 Haun, Daniel
A1 Leach, Argie P
A1 Lawrence, Louann W
A1 Jarreau, Patsy
YR 2005
UL http://hwmaint.clsjournal.ascls.org/content/18/4/226.abstract
AB 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 datawhich professional group performs laboratory teststhe risk of acquiring AIDS while working in the health-care settinginterest in a science-related careerhow 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.