Abstract:

Objective

To investigate the knowledge status quo and knowledge needs of clinical laboratory personnel, so as to provide reference for accommodating the development of clinical laboratory work and updating new knowledge training.

Methods

Fifteen laboratory technicians were chosen from 3 general hospitals, 1 traditional Chinese hospital and 1 children’s hospital in Zhejiang Province; they were interviewed face to face and audio-recorded. Data were analyzed using phenomenological approach and themes on knowledge status quo and knowledge needs of clinical laboratory personnel were extracted.

Results

73.3%（11/15 persons）Participants considered professional knowledge could meet their daily requirements, 66.7%（10/15 persons）considered they lacked research ability together with clinic and management related knowledge. The most common way they solve problems relies on internet search as the top priority and journal database together with books were in the next place. There were very few expert consultations. All participants were willing to attend professional knowledge training and 80.0%（12/15 persons）of them was in urgent need of knowledge on instrument, 73.3%（11/15 persons）was in pressing need for research knowledge, and 60.0%（9/15 persons）was in need of clinic communication knowledge.73.3%（11/15 persons）of them perceived their inadequate English proficiency which influence the access and quick application of the newest knowledge.

Conclusions

Clinical laboratory technicians have an urgent need for knowledge. It is necessary to provide different levels of training and education based on position and professional title to improve problem solving ability using journal database and expert consultation, and to improve laboratory service through self hard learning.

Key words: Clinical laboratory, Knowledge, Qualitative study