CSMLS has received funding from the Ontario Bridge Training Program to develop 2-3 diversity products aimed at meeting the specific needs of MLT workplaces in Ontario. Diversity products in this context, may take a variety of forms and include: instructional videos, certifications courses, workshop curriculum, tip sheets and human resources checklists.

Instead of developing these products from scratch, research conducted at the outset of the project will catalogue a number of resources currently in operation across Canada that could be adapted for use to serve the MLT community. These resources will vetted via focus groups with three different sets of users: i) internationally educated workers; ii) front-line workers and iii) supervisory staff. Based on the findings of these groups (and a baseline survey conducted with all 14,000 CSMLS members related to this issue), 2-3 existing tools will be selected for customization. These products will be developed by an experienced Diversity Consultant.

CSMLS received funding to create an online version of the General Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT) certifying exam by developing three sets of practice exams, creating a total of 600 test questions. The practice exams will help internationally educated medical laboratory technologists (IEMLTs) to practice the certifying exams prior to actually taking the exam. In addition, IEMLTs would be provided with an additional set of resources that will expand their understanding of the test questions.

The practice exams will be based on Competency Profiles of the profession, which mimic workplace tasks (and corresponding levels of proficiency) expected for entry-to-practice. Questions banks will be created using item banking software and will be hosted on an IT platform (linked to the CSMLS website) for easy access to all IEMLTs. Users will be automatically provided with their practice score once it is completed, together with detailed information on specific subject/competency areas where the individual was successful and/or may need to focus their study before attempting the actual certifying exam. The project goal is to increase familiarity with the content, ease exam anxiety and ultimately increase the performance rate of the IEMLTs on the national certification exam, facilitating quicker entry to the regulatory body (licensure) and the workplace.

With the rapid pace of change occurring within the medical laboratory profession, the impact can negatively affect the mental health of workers. The CSMLS Mental Health Initiative set out to:

• Evaluate the current state of mental health issues in the medical laboratory profession.
• Create the process and associated tools to identify, monitor and support national mental health change in the workforce.
• Understand the mental health experience of MLPs.

This was achieved through the use of quantitative and qualitative research, rigorous processes to create evidence-based policy and a person-centred philosophy to guide the work, resulting in impactful products for members. Deliverables from the initiative include the Mental Health Toolkit, qualitative data on mental health, implementation of CSMLS Mental Health Awareness and Promotion Grants for members, national data on mental health in our profession and other mental health awareness campaign (e.g., Faces of Mental Health and Mental Health Selfies).

Contact: Research@csmls.org

Medical laboratory professionals should be acutely aware that their laboratories and clinical environments represent high-risk hazardous settings, both in preanalytical and analytical phases. Workers are exposed to numerous potential hazards including chemical, biological and even radioactive threats, in addition to other physical and psychological impactors such as musculoskeletal and mental stressors. For example, prolonged standing, neck bending, stress associated dealing with ill patients, exposure to sharp instruments and exposure to infectious material(s) are common. The work of medical laboratory professionals allows for limited control over their environment, coworkers and patients, resulting in a workplace that can never be considered 100% safe.

CSMLS undertook a longitudinal review of the occupational injury and disease data produced by the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC) as well as conducted a national survey with CSMLS members regarding occupational health and safety practices.

Contact: Research@csmls.org

A recent shift has occurred to place more effort into the study of ‘laboratory utilization’, which focuses on whether test orders are appropriate or inappropriate, and the resultant impact. An estimated 20-50% of all testing is inappropriately ordered, meaning that it is either an incorrect test, a redundant test or a correct test ordered at the wrong time. This results in large amounts of wasted public money, misdirected clinical effort and the potential for patient harm. The reasons for inappropriate testing are numerous, spanning physician, patient, social and system factors. We have reached a point in the field where it is no longer a question of whether inappropriate testing is occurring, but rather there is a need to understand the extent it is occurring, why it persists and what can be done.

There have been many initiatives to improve the utilization of healthcare resources in general, but none have gained the momentum of Choosing Wisely (CW), which began in the United States in 2012. In Canada, there are approximately 50 professional societies and 327 recommendations. In 2018, the CSMLS agreed to become a campaign partner with CW Canada.

The CSMLS and University of Alberta (UofA) are partnering on a project to facilitate medical laboratory professional’s participation in reducing unnecessary testing in the healthcare system. This collaboration will involve the creation of a website that is focused on two primary items. First, a compilation of current CW Canada recommendations related to the laboratory along with an educational tool to help practitioners understand how they can influence the use of the recommendations. Second, a profession-specific list of recommendations generated through a multi-pronged engagement process. To help maximize the impact of these items, a broader understanding of current MLP attitudes, awareness and engagement related to CW is needed. Research is required to fill this gap in knowledge.

Little information is available about the employment conditions for Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLAs) in Canada, especially in regards to the modern era of increasingly precarious jobs. In this respect, precarious jobs can be defined as casual, temporary, unstable or insecure jobs that are used to fill long-term employment needs, with expectations of worker flexibility that can greatly affect the health and well-being of the worker and their family.

As the Canadian healthcare system undergoes major transformation across the nation, the effect of the diverse changes on the career of an MLA is largely unknown. In addition, with more information becoming available about the social determinants of health, there is an important connection between precarious working conditions and negative health implications. For example, emotional and mental stress due to job insecurity, task-shifting, and the constant underlying uncertainty due to the current environment of government cuts to healthcare budgets, and subsequently staffing.

Therefore, there is a need to gather more information about precarious jobs for MLAs in Canada and the perceived effects on their health and well-being. The purpose of the MLA Precarious Employment study is to better this through data collected in focus groups and by a national survey.

The study was conducted as part of the student research practicum for Noelle Cater through the University of Ontario Institute of Technology. Laura Zychla was acting as her Researcher Supervisor for this project.

On October 17, 2018, Canada became the second nation in the world to legalize the recreational use of cannabis. Reports state that after alcohol, cannabis is the most commonly used psychoactive substance among Canadians. Medicinal use of cannabis has also increased dramatically, as the number of registered medicinal cannabis users increased from 23,930 in 2015, to 330,758 in 2018.

Canada is only the second nation in the world to legalize cannabis across its land. As such, there is almost no literature describing the medical laboratory experience during such a landmark change. However, legalization of cannabis in Canada has the potential to impact the work conducted by medical laboratory professionals (MLPs). Overall, the health system prepared for legalization through information dissemination, and policies and procedure reviews as encouraged by the government.

The purpose of the CSMLS study was to better understand any clinical laboratory workplace changes and expected future change as experienced by MLPs due to the legalization of cannabis in Canada. The study conducted semi-structured interviews with MLPs to understand the situation.

The study was conducted as part of the student research practicum for Julia Acker through the University of Ontario Institute of Technology. Laura Zychla was acting as her Researcher Supervisor for this project.