Characteristics of clinical laboratory technician students and effects on program outcome.

OBJECTIVE

To characterize student attrition in CLT education programs and relate program outcome (graduate, voluntary withdrawal, or academic dismissal) to student characteristics in three clusters of variables: academic, background and demographic characteristics, and environmental factors.

DESIGN

Longitudinal, prospective study using a written survey and follow-up data collection.

SETTING

Not applicable.

PARTICIPANTS

1527 students from 61 CLT academic-based educational programs located across the U.S.

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Participants completed a forced-choice written survey eliciting demographic and background information and measuring variables related to their involvement with the academic program and environmental factors external to the college. Program outcome groups: graduates, voluntary withdrawals, and academic dismissals were compared on each variable.

RESULTS

Graduates of CLT programs differ significantly from both academic dismissals and voluntary withdrawals on variables from all three variable clusters.

CONCLUSION

Student characteristics exhibited early in CLT programs may help identify those students who are at risk of academic failure or voluntary withdrawal. Knowledge of factors associated with lack of CLT program persistence may help educators design successful intervention programs to enhance retention.