Research in Clinical Laboratory Science: Professionals' Involvement

Rebecca Laudicina; JoAnn P. Fenn; Vickie Freeman; Carol McCoy; Mary Ann McLane; Lillian A. Mundt; Joan Polancic; Tim Randolph; Kristy Shanahan

doi:10.29074/ascls.24.4.235

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Rebecca Laudicina⇑
JoAnn P. Fenn, M.S., MT(ASCP)
1. Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT
Vickie Freeman, Ph.D., MLS(ASCP)^CMSC, FACB
1. University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX
Carol McCoy, Ph.D., MLS(ASCP)^CM
1. Fairview Health Services. Minneapolis, MN
Mary Ann McLane, Ph.D., MLS(ASCP)^CM
1. University of Delaware, Newark, DE
Lillian A. Mundt, Ed.D., MLS(ASCP)SH
1. Adventists Health System Midwest, Hinsdale, IL
Joan Polancic, M.S.Ed., MLS
1. American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science, Washington, DC
Tim Randolph, Ph.D., MLS(ASCP)
1. Saint Louis University, Saint Louis, MO
Kristy Shanahan, M.S., MLS(ASCP)^CM
1. Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chigaco, IL

Address for Correspondence: Rebecca Laudicina, Ph.D., MLS(ASCP)^CM, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 4110 Bondurant Hall, CB# 7145, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7145, (919) 843-4350, rebecca_laudicina{at}med.unc.edu

Identify CLS practitioners' sources of knowledge of research principles and hands-on research training.
List activities that CLS practitioners believe would help improve their research skills.
Describe research components of CLS educational programs.
Characterize activities included in CLS undergraduate and master's student research projects.
List perceived barriers to research participation by undergraduates and master's students in CLS educational programs.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To describe current qualitative and quantitative aspects of research engagement and other scholarly activities conducted by clinical laboratory science (CLS) professionals across a range of employment settings.

DESIGN: A link to a 3-part online survey was sent by electronic mail to 7,572 members of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science and 500 program directors.

SETTING: email message, on-line survey

PARTICIPANTS: all ASCLS members and all directors of accredited clinical laboratory educational programs

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Quantitative and qualitative measures of professionals' engagement in research and other scholarly activities

RESULTS: 556 of 7572 (7.3%) persons completed the survey. Thirty-two percent of survey respondents reported spending between 1 to >40 work hours per week conducting research with 68% of respondents not participating in research activities. Conducting research is an employment requirement for 18% of survey participants. Twenty-nine percent of respondents have published at least one research article, and 47% of respondents who conduct research have published studies in the journal Clinical Laboratory Science. More than 57% of respondents participate in non-research scholarly activities as part of their employment. CLS professionals who conduct research are more likely to do applied, clinical, or educational research than other types of research. Fifty-seven percent of respondents who conduct research lack external funding for their work. Ninety-three percent of total research dollars is obtained by respondents who hold the Ph.D. degree. The perception of the importance of conducting research varies by employment position. Barriers to participation in research include lack of inclusion of research in the job description, time constraints, inadequate research funding, limited opportunity, and lack of space and equipment.

CONCLUSIONS: CLS professionals participate in research in limited numbers, and are more likely to engage in non-research types of scholarly activities. Numerous barriers are identified which impose limits to conducting research. Over half of CLS's research efforts lack external funding. Although there was broad representation among participants across educational levels, employment settings, and job positions, the number of survey respondents was limited. Possible directions for future research include conducting this survey using members of additional professional organizations.

ABBREVIATIONS: CLS = clinical laboratory science; ASCLS = American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science; NAACLS = National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science