Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Department of Research, Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
J Appl Lab Med. 2022 Mar 2;7(2):480-494. doi: 10.1093/jalm/jfab103.
Laboratory stewardship programs aim to improve the use of laboratory resources, including reducing inappropriate testing. These programs should engage all healthcare stakeholder groups, including all levels of laboratory staff. Medical laboratory technologists (MLTs) are highly skilled professionals and are well positioned to play a supportive role in stewardship but may be overlooked. The aim of this study is to identify the barriers to MLT participation in stewardship activities.
We developed and disseminated a self-administered survey to MLTs in Canada to assess their knowledge and attitudes toward inappropriate laboratory utilizatioz and explore perceived barriers to taking on an active role in stewardship initiatives. Themes were identified in open-ended responses and mapped to the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF).
MLTs feel accountable for helping ensure appropriate resource use and recognize that it is an important issue to address. However, they experience significant barriers and have low intention to act. The self-reported barrier most frequently described was lack of time arising from excessive workloads, but other constraints exist. Themes mapped to the TDF most strongly in the domain of environmental context and resources, supporting evidence that workplace structure and culture play key roles in impacting this group.
To meaningfully engage MLTs in stewardship activities, these barriers should be addressed. Highlighting MLT expertise and creating communication structures and opportunities for their unique contributions may be fruitful.
实验室管理计划旨在提高实验室资源的利用效率，包括减少不必要的检测。这些计划应涵盖所有医疗保健利益相关者群体，包括各级实验室人员。医学实验室技术员（MLT）是高度熟练的专业人员，他们在管理中扮演支持角色的潜力很大，但可能被忽视。本研究旨在确定 MLT 参与管理活动的障碍。
我们开发并向加拿大的 MLT 分发了一份自我管理式调查问卷，以评估他们对实验室资源不合理利用的知识和态度，并探讨在管理计划中发挥积极作用的感知障碍。对开放式回答中的主题进行了识别，并映射到理论领域框架（TDF）。
MLT 认为自己有责任帮助确保资源的合理使用，并认识到这是一个需要解决的重要问题。然而，他们面临着重大障碍，参与意愿较低。报告的最常见的自我描述的障碍是工作量过大导致的时间不足，但其他限制因素也存在。主题映射到 TDF 的环境背景和资源领域最强，支持了工作场所结构和文化在影响这一群体方面发挥关键作用的证据。
为了让 MLT 有意义地参与管理活动，应该解决这些障碍。突出 MLT 的专业知识，并建立沟通结构和机会，让他们能够做出独特的贡献，可能会有所收获。
