scholarly journals A survey of the working environment of medical technologists in South Africa

2020 ◽  
pp. 22-28
Author(s):  
M Mullah ◽  
KA Grant ◽  
JV Hind
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Career Choice ◽  
Work Ethic ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Scope Of Practice ◽  
Medical Laboratory ◽  
Laboratory Staff ◽  
Medical Technologists ◽  
Laboratory Technology

Background: Advancing medical laboratory and genomic testing is reliant on a workforce equipped with the skills required to perform and interpret the complexity of new generation assays. In certain areas, challenges in recruiting and retaining qualified laboratory staff have led to shortages of experienced professionals which may negatively influence diagnostic services. Local research in this field is limited, and this study aimed to evaluate how medical technologists and technicians perceived and related to their working environment. Methods: A mixed methods study was conducted to evaluate respondents’ perceptions of factors influencing workplace experience such as interpersonal relationships, compliance to continuing professional development (CPD), work ethic and scope of practice within the medical laboratory. A link to a web-based survey was distributed to an expert group attending the 2015 congress of the Society of Medical Laboratory Technology of South Africa (SMLTSA), Port Elizabeth. Results: Survey results indicated that 27.5% of respondents were not happy with their career choice, notably the younger generation and public sector participants, where the latter reported significantly lower salaries than those in other sectors (p < 0.05). Only 54.2% reported being active members of the SMLTSA. Difficulties in attending professional development activities were described and deviation from scope of practice noted. Some respondents felt undervalued, reporting work ethic as satisfactory. Interpersonal tension was perceived between certain groups and the level of education was least likely to be related to salary scale. Most of the respondents (98.6%) were registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). Conclusion: The majority of participants reported to be satisfied with their career choice. This study was conducted prior to the introduction of the professional degree in medical laboratory science and may not be reflective of the current views of this sector of laboratory staff. However the study serves as a basis for further research using a representative sample of different laboratory professionals to assess job satisfaction and factors affecting retention of staff in medical diagnostic laboratories.

scholarly journals Medical laboratory technology in the Republic of South Africa : beyond 2000

1994 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Carolyn Margaret Winchester
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Medical Technology ◽  
Clinical Pathology ◽  
Medical Laboratory ◽  
Medical Technologist ◽  
Medical Technologists ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Laboratory Technology ◽  
Year 2000

The arena with the for medical technologists result that educational is continually changing directive must change accordingly. A number of big issues have changed the role of the medical technologist. Cognisance of the identified issues is essential if the profession is to survive the year 2000. The future directions of medical technology ar~ analysed in this disseration in order to identify the knowledge and skills that the professional medical technologist will require for the 21st century. The factors which have up to now introduced dramatic changes in clinical pathology laboratories will also present certain opoortunities for laboratory professionals but taking cognisance of the necessity for change and professional ability. This study was thus conducted to explore the educational requirements necessary for the professional future of medical Africa. laboratory technologists in the Republic of South !'.C.,' . A t~eoretical sub-structure lays the foundation for the study. The literature review in Chapter 2 outlines medical technology eduction both in the Republic of South Africa and in certain other countries. The necessity for change in the education of medical laboratory technologists is addressed here. Chapter 3 examines the factors (gleaned from the literature) which are producing a need for such dramatic change for the century ahead. It also examines the role of the technikons and the roles of the technikons with regard to the training of medical technologists and the influence of academic drift. The methodology in Chapter 4 explains the structuring and administration of a questionnaire used to capture data from registered medical laboratory technologists in the Republic of South Africa. The processed data results are discussed in Chapter 5. Tables are presented at the conclusion of certain groups of major issues. Chapter 6 concludes with the findings

Can Virtual Replace In-person Coaching? Experimental Evidence on Teacher Professional Development and Student Learning in South Africa

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacobus Cilliers ◽  
Brahm Fleisch ◽  
Janeli Kotzé ◽  
Nompumelelo Mohohlwane ◽  
Stephen Taylor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Oral Language ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Reading Proficiency ◽  
Home Language ◽  
Oral Language Proficiency ◽  
Virtual Coaching ◽  
Negative Effect

Virtual communication holds the promise of enabling low-cost professional development at scale, but the benefits of in-person interaction might be difficult to replicate. We report on an experiment in South Africa comparing on-site with virtual coaching of public primary school teachers. After three years, on-site coaching improved students' English oral language and reading proficiency (0.31 and 0.13 SD, respectively). Virtual coaching had a smaller impact on English oral language proficiency (0.12 SD), no impact on English reading proficiency, and an unintended negative effect on home language literacy. Classroom observations show that on-site coaching improved teaching practices, and virtual coaching led to larger crowding-out of home language teaching time. Implementation and survey data suggest technology itself was not a barrier to implementation, but rather that in-person contact enabled more accountability and support.

Ascertaining the Role of Leadership on Employee Satisfaction in Market and Social Research Industries in Gauteng Province of South Africa Using Qualitative Research

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kingstone Mutsonziwa ◽  
Philip Serumaga-Zake
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Employee Satisfaction ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Social Research ◽  
Labour Productivity ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Gauteng Province ◽  
Career Growth ◽  
Quantitative Results ◽  
Mixed Approach

This paper is based on the study a Doctor of Business Leadership (DBL) thesis titled A Statistical Model for Employee Satisfaction in the Market and Social Research Industries in Gauteng Province. The purpose of this study was to identify the attributes that affect employee satisfaction in the Market and Social Research Industries in Gauteng Province, South Africa. In order to address the overall objective of this study, the researcher used a two-tiered (mixed) approach in which both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies were used to complement and enrich the results. This paper is only based on the qualitative component of the study on leadership aspects based on six leaders (two from Social research and four from Market research) that were interviewed. The leaders were selected based on their knowledge of the industry and the expertise they have. Participation in the survey was voluntary. This paper illustrates the power of the qualitative techniques to uncover or unmask the leadership aspects in the Market and Social Research Industries and also gives the human touch to the quantitative results. It was found that leadership and management within the Market and Social Research Industries in Gauteng Province must ensure that they are accommodative in terms of mentoring their subordinates. The industry is driven by quality driven processes and strong leadership. More importantly, issues of a good working environment, remuneration, career growth, and recognition must always be addressed in order to increase employee satisfaction, reduce staff turnover, and attempt to optimize labour productivity. The qualitative findings also help a deeper understanding of leadership within the industry.

Under a growth-centered accountability system: A job demand and resource perspective for physical educators

2021 ◽  
pp. 1356336X2110031
Author(s):  
Tan Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Student Learning ◽  
Job Demands ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Physical Educators ◽  
Teacher Accountability ◽  
Accountability System ◽  
Sampling Procedures

The purpose of this study was to reveal the work life of physical educators who were experiencing a teacher accountability system in the US. A combination of stratified and purposeful sampling procedures was adopted to select a sample of schools that served communities with various socioeconomic backgrounds. The schools were recently incorporated in a state teacher accountability system that used student learning growth for teacher evaluation. A group of 51 certified physical educators was selected from the sampled schools. Data were collected from three sources: an online survey, in-school observations, and semi-structured interviews. The survey and observations cross-validated data related to job description, workload, general working environment, and demographic information. The interviews detailed the teachers’ accounts about their work life, perceptions of the job demands, and resources under the teacher accountability system. Inductive analysis revealed that the lack of critical job resources, especially curricular supports, equipment, and professional development, limited the teachers from promoting student learning that the teacher accountability system required. Teachers were subjected to immense job demands, specifically a large body of content knowledge to teach with shrinking instruction time and ambiguous role. They also felt pressured to incorporate reading, writing, and mathematics in physical education lessons with little or no curricular support. For teachers to teach physical education successfully in this accountability context, systemic changes are needed to provide teachers with adequate professional development and curricular resources to promote learning in physical education.

scholarly journals Inter-rater Variability in Malaria Microscopy at the LEKMA Hospital, Ghana

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Andrew Nii Adzei Bekoe ◽  
Emmanuel Alote Allotey ◽  
Elliot Elikplim Akorsu ◽  
Albert Abaka-Yawson ◽  
Samuel Adusei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Medical Laboratory ◽  
Rater Agreement ◽  
Laboratory Personnel ◽  
Parasite Count ◽  
Laboratory Staff ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Expected Outcome ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Group B

Background. Malaria remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where it is endemic. As such, it is important that a proper diagnosis is made before treatment is initiated. Malaria parasite count plays a key role in the diagnosis and management of malaria. Variations in ratings by laboratory personnel can impact negatively on the treatment regimen for malaria-infected patients. The study is thus aimed at evaluating and comparing the proficiency and parasitaemia counts by two different categories of laboratory staff at the LEKMA Hospital, Ghana. Materials and Methods. A total of 200 confirmed malaria-positive samples were used in the study. Six thick and thin films were prepared from each sample and uniquely labelled. Two of the six slides were given to two WHO-accredited malaria microscopists to examine and report their respective parasite count/μl ( parasite   count / WBC × 8000 ). These were used as the reference for the two categories of laboratory staffs: rater A being diploma holders (Technical Officers referred to as untrained rater) and rater B being degree holders (Medical Laboratory Scientist referred to as trained rater) at the LEKMA Hospital. Results. In comparison to the expected outcome, the parasite count by the rater group A (190 (151-239)]) and the rater group B (177 (140-224)) demonstrated significant positive correlation ( r = 0.995 , p < 0.0001 vs. r = 0.995 , p < 0.0001 , respectively) with the expected outcome in the cases of heavy parasitaemia. A statistically significant difference ( p < 0.05 ) between counts by the different raters in low parasitemia was observed in this study. A persistent nosedive inter-rater agreement from k = 0.82 to k = 0.40 with increasing density cutoff was observed in this study. Conclusion. The study observed that the degree of inter-rater agreement of parasite density count by various categories of laboratory personnel is almost perfect. However, the parasite count between raters varied significantly with very low levels of parasitemia but better correlated with heavy parasitemia.

scholarly journals Quality Counts: Critical Features for Neophyte Professional Development

2008 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 491-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Woodcock ◽  
Hugh Richards ◽  
Angus Mugford
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Journal Writing ◽  
Learning Experiences ◽  
Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Sport Psychologist

The aim of the study was to examine and reflect on the learning experiences of a neophyte sport psychologist. Over a 9-week applied internship the first author kept a reflective diary that followed Boud’s (2001) three elements of journal writing. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (Smith & Osborn, 2003) of the data identified 11 themes from the diary, 8 of which were contextualized in 3 self-narrative accounts, including the working environment, anxiety, confidence, being a performer, being a learner, relationships, feedback and practical content. Reflecting on these incidents the neophyte’s supervisor offers another perspective, and along with the narrative accounts, furthers our understanding of important factors, and indicates recommendations to ensure quality training for professional development.

scholarly journals Emergency medicine as a career choice: a descriptive study of Canadian medical students

CJEM ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 11 (03) ◽  
pp. 196-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian M. Scott ◽  
Riyad B. Abu-Laban ◽  
Margot C. Gowans ◽  
Bruce J. Wright ◽  
Fraser R. Brenneis
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Medicine ◽  
Family Medicine ◽  
Medical School ◽  
Career Choice ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
School Entry ◽  
Social Orientation ◽  
Scope Of Practice ◽  
Medical Specialties ◽  
Hospital Orientation

ABSTRACTBackground:Studies indicate that a student's career interest at medical school entry is related to his or her ultimate career. We sought to determine the level of interest in emergency medicine among students at the time of medical school entry, and to describe characteristics associated with students primarily interested in emergency medicine.Methods:We surveyed students in 18 medical school classes from 8 Canadian universities between 2001 and 2004 at the commencement of their studies. Participants listed their top career choice and the degree to which a series of variables influenced their choices. We also collected demographic data.Results:Of 2420 surveys distributed, 2168 (89.6%) were completed. A total of 6.1% (95% confidence interval 5.1%–7.1%) of respondents cited emergency medicine as their first career choice. When compared with students primarily interested in family medicine, those primarily interested in emergency medicine reported a greater influence of hospital orientation and a lesser influence of social orientation on their career choice. When compared with students primarily interested in the surgical specialties, those primarily interested in emergency medicine were more likely to report medical lifestyle and varied scope of practice as important influences. When compared with students primarily interested in the medical specialties, those who reported interest in emergency medicine were more likely to report that a hospital orientation and varied scope of practice were important influences, and less likely to report that social orientation was important.Conclusion:Students primarily interested in emergency medicine at medical school entry have attributes that differentiate them from students primarily interested in family medicine, the surgical specialties or the medical specialties. These findings may help guide future initiatives regarding emergency medicine education.

scholarly journals Client Analysis in Teacher Education: What Some Canadian and South African Teachers Identify as their Professional Development Needs

2001 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth Epstein
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Teacher Education ◽  
South African ◽  
Teacher Educators ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Teacher Education Programs ◽  
Education Programs ◽  
Professional Development Needs ◽  
Teachers Professional Development

The client analysis conducted in this study explores the professional development needs of11 language teachers, five in South Africa and six in Canada. The study employs a questionnaire and interviews to discover how each teacher's background and context affects his or her perceived professional development needs. Interviews show that teacher educators cannot necessarily predict teachers' professional development needs based on their backgrounds and contexts alone. A variety of inputs from recipients over an extended time is desirable and would yield more accurate predictability of an individual's professional development needs. This would result in teacher education programs that more accurately meet a teacher's real needs.

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