Clinical Laboratory Education

  • Innovative educational techniques
  • Simulation laboratories
  • Student admission process and tracking success
  • Student retention
  • Research in student learning
  • Changes in MLS undergraduate or graduate education
  • Faculty development
  • Educational interventions emphasizing the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion, and addressing health disparities.

Patient Safety

  • Investigation of laboratory practices that improve patient safety.
  • Assessment of pre-analytical and post-analytical errors and their impact on patient outcomes.
  • Enhancement of patient engagement and involvement in the laboratory testing process, considering the diverse needs and preferences of various patient populations.

Value of Laboratory Services

  • Impact of test results in diagnosis and treatment.
  • Development and assessment of test applications.
  • Value of appropriate test utilization in clinical decision-making.
  • Assessment of point-of-care testing validity and clinical efficacy.
  • New test development and modifications, validation, and clinical efficacy.
  • Correlation of proficiency testing, personnel standards, internal quality control, and quality assessment on the validity and clinical efficacy of test results.
  • Social determinants that contribute to disparities in access to and outcomes of laboratory testing, with a focus on marginalized or underserved populations.
  • Community-based approaches to increase awareness of laboratory services, improve health literacy in diverse populations.

Value of Educated Personnel

  • Correlate level of education and clinical training to validity and quality of test results.
  • Strategies to increase the number of educated personnel, address retention of, and improve the public image of clinical laboratory professionals.
  • Investigation of the role of the Medical Laboratory Scientist, Medical Laboratory Technician, or professional with a doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science in test utilization.
  • Strategies to enhance diversity and inclusivity within the clinical laboratory workforce, including recruitment practices, mentorship programs, and workplace policies that promote equity.
  • Training programs for laboratory professionals to enhance their cultural sensitivity and cultural competence on diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes.

Translational Research

  • Applications that reduce disease incidence, morbidity, and mortality.

Proposal Format

Limit to three single-sided typewritten pages. Include all material essential to the application.

  1. Title
  2. Background and rationale: Identify how the project addresses the E&R designated research purposes and the profession’s needs, demonstrate familiarity with existing research and personal expertise, identify pertinent issues and state the problem clearly and concisely.
  3. Objectives: Appropriate, clear, and linked to the problem stated in the rationale.
  4. Methods/Design: The methods/design should be described clearly; agree with objectives; be specific and detailed; identify strengths and limitations; describe the sampling population, recruitment of subjects, data collection procedures, methods used to minimize sample bias; identify staff qualifications; indicate recording and reporting procedures; list appropriate deadlines; and guarantee confidentiality.
  5. Analysis Procedures: The analysis section should include identification of instruments, relate to the purpose/objectives, describe extent and detail of analysis, list time frame, and describe written and/or verbal reporting procedures.
  6. Budget: The budget section should include itemization and justification of cost and relate to the objectives and protocol.
  7. Appendices: The appendices should include supplemental information, biographical expertise, support letters, and contracts.