Nathan Johnson (University of Arkansas Medical Sciences); Jason Key (UAMS, CHP, Lab Sciences)
Hypothesis: The lack of practicing clinical laboratory professionals in the United States is alarming. Lab training programs have experienced stagnant or a reduction in class sizes with unfilled training seats. It was with this backdrop that the Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) Program at UAMS instituted the A.B.L.E. principles to increase class size and diversity of its MLS program. The A.B.L.E. principles were obtained by the Department Chair during his time in laboratory leadership roles in the Department of Defense. The A.B.L.E. principles include Attitude, Belief, Labor, and Equity. It was hypothesized that the UAMS MLS could grow in size and diversity using these principles.
Method: The A.B.L.E. principles include Attitude, Belief, Labor, and Equity. The A.B.L.E. principles aligned with the overall UAMS and College of Health Professions Core Values.
Observations/Outcomes: Utilization of the A.B.L.E. method were critical to enhancing our program’s growth, retention of students, increase in test scores, an increase in the diversity, and drove a commitment to better support the underserved areas of lab medicine.
Conclusion: Our department has become a model program by using the A.B.L.E. method.
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