title: Professional development activities of medical technologists: management implications for allied health.
abstract: Professional development activities enable individuals to develop beyond the fundamental skills, competencies, knowledge, and attitudes required for their present jobs. The process focuses on improving organizational efficiency while relying on the development of the individual employee. This study tracked a sample of 392 early-career medical technologists (MTs) to investigate antecedents of professional development. Results suggested that there were two related but distinct types of professional development, scholarship and administrative. Data from 1994 and 1997 repeat respondents indicated that both types of professional development increased. A differential pattern of significant correlates to each type of professional development emerged. The link between professional development and employees' occupational commitment may provide guidance to the allied health professions.
authors.affiliation: College of Health and Human Sciences, Urban Life Building, Suite 870, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA. ssummers@gsu.edu
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Summers
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Blau
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ward-Cook
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000488:Allied Health Personnel / Q000193:education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002322:Career Mobility; D004496:Education, Continuing / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D013677:Medical Laboratory Science / Q000193:education*; D010558:Personnel Loyalty; D013192:Staff Development / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce