Tracing our roots: the broadening horizons of clinical laboratory practice (1945-62)

To describe how the field of clinical laboratory science responded to the shortage of qualified laboratory personnel in the 1950s, and to review educators' responses to the changes in clinical laboratory practice.

A survey of literature on the history of clinical laboratory science was conducted. References consulted include various books and professional journals.

Between 1945 and 1962, the demand for certified medical technologists grew as a result of public demand for more health services, including laboratory testing. The shortage of qualified laboratory personnel, coupled with the introduction of new, more complex methods of analysis and the addition of different types of tests gave rise to specialization in each of the clinical laboratory disciplines. These developments also stimulated a renewed interest in creating another class of laboratory worker, the laboratory assistant, who could be assigned to perform simple procedures under the supervision of a certified medical technologist. The broadening horizons of clinical laboratory practice created new opportunities and new challenges for medical technologist educators.