Outcome measurement of problem-based learning.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if there is a significant difference in the national certification examination scores, and in comments received from clinical faculty, between PBL and pre-PBL groups. DESIGN: Retrospective analyses of national certification examination scores and clinical faculty evaluation files. PARTICIPANTS: Medical technology students at the University of Hawaii. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Means of a national certification examination scores of PBL and pre-PBL groups are statistically compared. Types of clinical faculty comments are rank-ordered and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: PBL group did significantly better in the Urinalysis section of the national certification examination. Pre-PBL group received more "Quiet but got better" comments from clinical faculty. CONCLUSION: PBL can affect student outcomes in both national certification exams and perception by clinical faculty.

Surfing the wave of clinical laboratory science evolution in Hawai'i.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the steps taken by the Hawaii Society for Clinical Laboratory Science, an affiliate of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science, to inform local laboratory professionals of current trends and to prepare for the future. RESULTS: A Strategic Planning workshop was conducted at the 1997 Hawaii Society for Clinical Laboratory Science Annual Meeting where participants reviewed the essential (but non-traditional) functions of clinical laboratory scientists, and described current realities, identified forces and players affecting the changes, and envisioned the future of our profession. CONCLUSION: As the way health care is provided changes in response to economics and advances in technology, the role of clinical laboratory scientists needs to be redefined. The Hawaii Society for Clinical Laboratory Science continues to provide timely support for members, and plans to work collaboratively with the local chapter of the Clinical Laboratory Managers' Association to advance clinical laboratory science to an appropriate place in the health care community.