Characteristics of clinical laboratory technician students and effects on program outcome.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize student attrition in CLT education programs and relate program outcome (graduate, voluntary withdrawal, or academic dismissal) to student characteristics in three clusters of variables: academic, background and demographic characteristics, and environmental factors.


METHODS
Longitudinal, prospective study using a written survey and follow-up data collection.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
1527 students from 61 CLT academic-based educational programs located across the U.S.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Participants completed a forced-choice written survey eliciting demographic and background information and measuring variables related to their involvement with the academic program and environmental factors external to the college. Program outcome groups: graduates, voluntary withdrawals, and academic dismissals were compared on each variable.


RESULTS
Graduates of CLT programs differ significantly from both academic dismissals and voluntary withdrawals on variables from all three variable clusters.


CONCLUSIONS
Student characteristics exhibited early in CLT programs may help identify those students who are at risk of academic failure or voluntary withdrawal. Knowledge of factors associated with lack of CLT program persistence may help educators design successful intervention programs to enhance retention.
Laudicina
R J
RJ
Division of Clinical Laboratory Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 27599-7145, USA. blaudicina@css.unc.edu
D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D017056:Medical Laboratory Personnel; D013677:Medical Laboratory Science / Q000193:education*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013336:Students, Health Occupations; D014481:United States