Global Laboratory Systems Development: Needs and Approaches

Martin, Robert K.; Barnhart, Scott

doi:10.1016/j.idc.2011.05.001

Cited by 13 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…polio, measles, HIV, tuberculosis and malaria), and resource-poor countries have benefited greatly from these initiatives to build laboratory capacity related to these specific diseases and also introduce a “public health approach” in laboratories. 2,8 These disease-specific programmes have helped to highlight the “system bottlenecks” that must also be addressed in order to have high-performing and sustainable laboratory services that meet national public health needs. The participatory approach probably improved the quality of the process and results, as use of the LAT in a participatory way enables countries to take ownership of this process and results, and uses a systems approach to assessing and building laboratory capacity.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Strengthening public health laboratory capacity in Thailand for International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005)

Peruski

Birmingham

Tantinimitkul

et al. 2014

WHO South-East Asia J Public Health

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Strengthening public health laboratory capacity in Thailand for International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005)

Peruski

Birmingham

Tantinimitkul

et al. 2014

WHO South-East Asia J Public Health

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“…However, with the successful development of human resources in public health, it is important that attention be given to retaining these skilled laboratory staff. “Brain drain” is the phenomenon of highly-skilled professionals leaving resource-limited settings to seek better professional opportunities and pay; it has been cited as an impediment to maintaining quality laboratory systems in resource-constrained countries 15. It has been reported that approximately 90% of laboratory staff in Tanzania leave public service to join other employers within the country 11.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Limited educational opportunities have been cited as an impediment to the laboratory systems in Tanzania,12 Ukraine,13 and Botswana 14. While educating individuals outside their countries can be part of the solution, attention should be directed towards developing tertiary training programs within resource-limited settings, to minimize costs and maximize output 15. Furthermore, given the current demand for skilled laboratory personnel, there is a need for novel training methods, to more rapidly meet staffing requirements 8…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An innovative educational approach to professional development of medical laboratory scientists in Botswana

Magowe¹,

Ledikwe²,

Kasvosve³

et al. 2014

AMEP

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PurposeTo address the shortage of laboratory scientists in Botswana, an innovative, one-year academic bridging program was initiated at the University of Botswana, to advance diploma-holding laboratory technicians towards becoming laboratory scientists holding Bachelor’s degrees. An evaluation was conducted, which described the outcomes of the program and the lessons learned from this novel approach to meeting human resource needs.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional, mixed-methods evaluation. Qualitative interviews were conducted with graduates of the Bachelor of Science (BSc) Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) bridging program, along with the graduates’ current supervisors, and key informants who were involved in program development or implementation. The quantitative data collected included a written questionnaire, completed by program graduates, with a retrospective pre-test/post-test survey of graduates’ confidence, in terms of key laboratory competencies.ResultsThe BSc MLS bridging program produced thirty-three laboratory scientists over 3 years. There was a significant increase in confidence among graduates, for specified competencies, after the program (P<0.05). Graduates reported acquiring new skills and, often, accepting new responsibilities at their former workplace, particularly in relationship to leadership and management. Five graduates enrolled in advanced degree programs. Most graduates assumed increased responsibility. However, only two graduates were promoted after completing the training program. The lessons learned include: the importance of stakeholder involvement, the need for data to identify local needs, financial sustainability, catering for the needs of adult learners, and ensuring a technically challenging work environment, conducive to the application of skills learned during training.ConclusionA strong public health and clinical laboratory system is essential for the rapid detection and control of emerging health threats, and for patient care. However, there is a need to adequately prepare laboratory human resources, to ensure efficient and effective laboratory services. Advancement of laboratory technicians towards becoming laboratory scientists, through a bridging program, can provide the necessary skills within a short time.

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“…This scoping study developed an unbiased and comprehensive way of identifying potential NTD reference laboratories in the five WHO regions -Americas, Eastern Mediterranean, Europe, South-East Asia and Western Pacific. As there was no preexisting definition of an 'NTD reference laboratory', we extracted information from published literature [13][14][15][16][17] about the laboratory characteristics needed to fulfil diagnostic, research, supervision, training, quality, and networking requirements of a national or regional reference laboratory for NTDs, and verified them with NTD control programme specialists. These characteristics were:…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Establishing an international laboratory network for neglected tropical diseases: Understanding existing capacity in five WHO regions

et al. 2018

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Background. Limited laboratory capacity is a significant bottleneck in meeting global targets for the control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases (NTD). Laboratories are essential for providing clinical data and monitoring data about the status and changes in NTD prevalence, and for detecting early drug resistance. Currently NTD laboratory networks are informal and specialist laboratory expertise is not well publicised, making it difficult to share global expertise and provide training, supervision, and quality assurance for NTD diagnosis and research. This study aimed to identify laboratories within five World Health Organisation regions (South-East Asia, Eastern Mediterranean, Americas, Western Pacific and Europe) that provide NTD services and could be regarded as national or regional reference laboratories, and to conduct a survey to document their networks and capacity to support NTD programmes. Methods. Potential NTD reference laboratories were identified through systematic searches, snowball sampling and key informants. Results. Thirty-two laboratories responded to the survey. The laboratories covered 25 different NTDs and their main regional and national roles were to provide technical support and training, research, test validation and standard setting. Two thirds of the laboratories were based in academic institutions and almost half had less than 11 staff. Although greater than 90 per cent of the laboratories had adequate technical skills to function as an NTD reference laboratory, almost all laboratories lacked systems for external verification that their results met international standards. Conclusions. This study highlights that although many laboratories believed they could act as a reference laboratory, only a few had all the characteristics required to fulfil this role as they fell short in the standard and quality assurance of laboratory processes. Networks of high quality laboratories are essential for the control and elimination of disease and this study presents a critical first step in the development of such networks for NTDs.

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Global Laboratory Systems Development: Needs and Approaches

Cited by 13 publications

References 30 publications

Strengthening public health laboratory capacity in Thailand for International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005)

Strengthening public health laboratory capacity in Thailand for International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005)

An innovative educational approach to professional development of medical laboratory scientists in Botswana

Establishing an international laboratory network for neglected tropical diseases: Understanding existing capacity in five WHO regions

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