Abstract
Clinical laboratory technicians (CLTs) perform laboratory tests in hospitals and clinics. To date, no study has examined the status of CLTs engaged in clinics in Tottori Prefecture. In this study, we aimed to investigate the status of CLTs who were engaged in conducting physiological tests in the clinics in Tottori Prefecture and examined the potential employment of the CLTs at these clinics. A survey was conducted by sending questionnaires to 421 clinics with questions regarding the employment status of the CLTs, type of staff engaged in physiological testing, physiological test equipment, average number of physiological tests per type conducted every month, and the possibility of future employment of CLTs at these clinics. A total of 115 general medical offices participated. Physiological tests were conducted in 102 clinics. Of these, eight clinics (7.8%) employed CLTs. The number of physiological tests conducted was significantly higher in clinics that employed CLTs than in those that did not. Moreover, the number of electroencephalography tests conducted was significantly higher in clinics that employed more than two CLTs than in those that employed only one. Correspondence analysis revealed that more ultrasonography, electroencephalography, and electromyography tests were performed in clinics where a CLT was employed than in clinics that did not. Additionally, the employment of CLTs was under consideration by the employers in clinics where a CLT conducted polysomnography. Our results suggest that new CLTs should be employed in clinics where a large number of physiological tests are conducted.
