Engaging Laboratory Staff in Stewardship: Barriers Experienced by Medical Laboratory Technologists in Canada

Laboratory stewardship programs aim to improve the use of laboratory resources, including reducing inappropriate testing. These programs should engage all healthcare stakeholder groups, including all levels of laboratory staff. Medical laboratory technologists (MLTs) are highly skilled professionals and are well positioned to play a supportive role in stewardship but may be overlooked. The aim of this study is to identify the barriers to MLT participation in stewardship activities.

We developed and disseminated a self-administered survey to MLTs in Canada to assess their knowledge and attitudes toward inappropriate laboratory utilizatioz and explore perceived barriers to taking on an active role in stewardship initiatives. Themes were identified in open-ended responses and mapped to the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF).

MLTs feel accountable for helping ensure appropriate resource use and recognize that it is an important issue to address. However, they experience significant barriers and have low intention to act. The self-reported barrier most frequently described was lack of time arising from excessive workloads, but other constraints exist. Themes mapped to the TDF most strongly in the domain of environmental context and resources, supporting evidence that workplace structure and culture play key roles in impacting this group.

To meaningfully engage MLTs in stewardship activities, these barriers should be addressed. Highlighting MLT expertise and creating communication structures and opportunities for their unique contributions may be fruitful.