Health Systems Transformation Platform, New Delhi, India.
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
PLoS One. 2024 Apr 1;19(4):e0294939. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294939. eCollection 2024.
Medical Laboratory Technologists play a significant role in delivering quality laboratory Services. The competency assessment of MLTs is a critical driver for enhancing primary healthcare performance. While several countries have developed competency frameworks for MLTs in primary care, such frameworks are lacking in the Indian context. This study aimed to create a competency assessment framework to assess the competencies of MLTs (Medical Laboratory Technologists) working in Indian public primary healthcare facilities. The research followed a five-step process, starting with a review of existing literature on MLTs' competencies in primary healthcare. Expert consultations were then conducted to establish a consensus on these competencies. Following this, assessment tools were developed based on the literature review and expert input. Another round of expert consultations was held to ensure agreement on the assessment tools. Finally, the developed tools were tested in a public primary healthcare facility. The literature review identified 86 competencies across 11 domains: safe work practices, data/ sample collection, specimen preparation equipment instruments and regiments, assessment and analysis, recording and reporting, infection control, quality management, critical thinking, communication and interaction, and professional practice. Expert consultations resulted in the consensus on ninety-five competencies in ten domains of MLTs in primary healthcare settings. Competencies for each domain were discussed and agreed upon. A competency assessment tool was finalized after unanimous agreement among experts. The competency assessment tool was later finalized after pre-testing on MLTs in a clinical laboratory part of a public primary health care facility. This study successfully developed a competency assessment framework for in-service MLTs in Indian public primary healthcare settings. The framework encompasses ninety-five competencies covering ten domains of MLT responsibilities. It provides a comprehensive tool for assessing MLT's competencies and identifying competency gaps. The framework can be used to capacitate MLTs, improve their performance in primary healthcare settings, and enhance the delivery of healthcare services in India. It bridges a critical gap in the existing literature and can aid as a valuable resource for policymakers, educators, and healthcare professionals involved in practicing medical laboratory Services in primary healthcare settings.
医学检验技术人员在提供高质量的实验室服务方面发挥着重要作用。对医学检验技术人员的能力评估是提高基层医疗绩效的关键驱动因素。虽然一些国家已经为初级保健中的医学检验技术人员制定了能力框架，但印度却缺乏这样的框架。本研究旨在为在印度公立基层医疗机构工作的医学检验技术人员（Medical Laboratory Technologists）创建一个能力评估框架，以评估其能力。研究采用了五步流程，首先对医学检验技术人员在初级保健中的能力进行了文献回顾。然后进行了专家咨询，以就这些能力达成共识。在此基础上，根据文献回顾和专家意见制定了评估工具。接着进行了另一轮专家咨询，以确保对评估工具的一致认可。最后，在一家公立基层医疗机构中对开发的工具进行了测试。文献回顾确定了 11 个领域的 86 项能力：安全工作实践、数据/样本收集、标本制备设备仪器和规定、评估和分析、记录和报告、感染控制、质量管理、批判性思维、沟通和互动、以及专业实践。专家咨询就初级保健环境中的医学检验技术人员十个领域的 95 项能力达成了共识。专家们对每个领域的能力进行了讨论并达成一致。在专家一致同意的情况下，最终确定了一项能力评估工具。在对一家公立基层医疗机构临床实验室的医学检验技术人员进行预测试后，对能力评估工具进行了最终确定。本研究成功为印度公立基层医疗机构中的在职医学检验技术人员开发了能力评估框架。该框架涵盖了涵盖十个医学检验技术人员职责领域的 95 项能力。它提供了一种全面的工具，用于评估医学检验技术人员的能力并确定能力差距。该框架可用于增强医学检验技术人员的能力，提高他们在基层医疗机构的绩效，并加强印度的医疗服务提供。它填补了现有文献中的一个关键空白，并可作为政策制定者、教育工作者和从事基层医疗保健领域医学实验室服务的医疗保健专业人员的宝贵资源。
