Medical technology education II: Evaluation of a classroom-laboratory program

Data gathered on the graduates of the first three classes of the University of Colorado medical technology program student classroom-laboratory approach indicate that these graduates are successful medical technologists, although the program is nontraditional. The program includes lecture-laboratory sessions in a student laboratory setting with a shortened clinical education component. Questionnaires to evaluate 11 aspects of work performance were submitted to each graduate's immediate supervisor. Seventy-seven per cent of the evaluations were returned. Ninety per cent of those evaluated were rated as successful technologists (average performance or better). Following 7 to 12 months of job experience, graduates showed no significant change in work performance ratings. Therefore, using a classroom-laboratory setting prior to the clinical component appears to be an effective means of educating medical technologists.