Initiative for improvement of nontechnical skills of medical technologists

Abstract

There are few reports of nontechnical skills defined for medical technologists (MTs). Our laboratory has defined nontechnical skills for MTs and tried to improve them. In this study, we aimed to investigate our attempt at improving nontechnical skills. In October 2013, our working group, including 10 MTs, collected 395 skills from 65 MTs and decided on 27 “nontechnical skills for MTs,” which were considered from 6 viewpoints: situation awareness, decision making, communication, teamwork, leadership, and stress management. A monthly skill was reported to all MTs through leaflets, in-hospital e-mails, and bulletins. A self-evaluation was conducted every 6 months for 24 months, which showed gradual improvement and strengths or weaknesses in each of the 6 viewpoints depending on MTs’ years of experience and assigned sections. The MTs’ nontechnical skills can be improved through clarification and organizational activities.