title: The Need for Education in Molecular Immunohematology: A Survey of Specialists in Blood Banking.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Within transfusion medicine, the education of molecular technologies lacks standardization.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To address this problem, we surveyed specialist in blood bank technology (SBBT) programs, immunohematology reference laboratories, and SBBT graduates to define its current state.
  
  
  METHODS
  An anonymous online survey (SurveyMonkey) was emailed to the 15 American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) SBBT programs, 59 AABB IRLs, and 82 SBBT graduates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the didactic portion of the SBBT curriculum, all programs incorporate knowledge base of blood groups, 13 incorporate molecular techniques, and 5 include case studies. Thirteen programs have intentions of expanding the knowledge base in molecular topics. Most IRLs (97%) think SBBT programs should continue to expand molecular knowledge base. Most graduates (94%) believe more molecular topics should be included in the SBBT curriculum; however, only 50% believe they currently apply their molecular knowledge in their post-graduate employment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We propose a more descriptive molecular diagnostics curriculum for SBBT programs to help standardize the education of molecular topics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN.
authors.forename: Stephanie N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Kinney
authors.affiliation: Indiana Blood Center, Indianapolis, IN.
authors.forename: Jayanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Slayten
authors.affiliation: Indiana Blood Center, Indianapolis, IN dwaxman@indianablood.org.
authors.forename: Dan A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Waxman
mesh_terms: D006282:Health Personnel; D006405:Hematology / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D013038:Specialization; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D064826:Transfusion Medicine / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods*
keywords: curriculum; education; immunohematology; molecular; specialist in blood banking; transfusion medicine