Nurses' Perceptions of Medical Laboratory Scientists: Mistaken Identity and Misplaced Regard

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Professions
• Medical Laboratory Science
• Nursing

Background:

• Medical laboratory science (MLS) professionals are vital to healthcare, providing critical diagnostic results.
• There's limited research on other healthcare professionals' perceptions of MLS professionals.
• MLS professionals often feel their contributions are unrecognized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore intensive care unit (ICU) nurses' perceptions of medical laboratory scientists.
• To understand the perceived role of MLS professionals in healthcare.

Main Methods:

• Pilot study involving interviews with five ICU nurses.
• Phenomenological research inquiry used for data analysis.
• Identification of key themes through qualitative analysis.

Main Results:

• Four themes emerged: professional practice, visibility, professional entry, and interprofessional learning.
• Nurses recognized the medical laboratory but were unaware of the full scope of practice, education, and credentials of MLS professionals.
• Misconceptions existed regarding the MLS scope of practice, overlapping with phlebotomists and medical laboratory technicians (MLTs).

Conclusions:

• ICU nurses hold positive perceptions of MLS professionals but demonstrate limited knowledge of the profession.
• Findings highlight the need for interdisciplinary education to improve understanding and collaboration.
• Enhanced understanding can lead to a more comprehensive and effective healthcare delivery team.