Attrition in a clinical laboratory technician associate degree program.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the reasons for attrition in a clinical laboratory technician-associate degree program, a retrospective study was done on classes entering from 1987 to 1992. Suggestions are made to increase retention. SETTING: The medical laboratory department at the Community College of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania. PRACTICE DESCRIPTION: There were 43,987 students enrolled for the 1993 to 1994 academic year; 17,846 full time equivalents at the college. Clinical laboratory technician students averaged 26.2 years and were 26% male and 74% female, which closely paralleled the college. The ethnic make-up of the clinical laboratory technician classes was 54% White, 32% African American, 11% Asian, and 3% Latin American, compared to 48% African American, 36% White, 10% Asian, and 6% Latin American students in the college. PRACTICE INNOVATION: A retrospective study was performed to evaluate attrition rates for the classes entering the clinical laboratory technician program at the Community College of Philadelphia from 1987 to 1992. Reasons for this attrition were tabulated and evaluated. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-nine students entered the program and 75 graduated, producing an attrition rate of 42%. There were 6 categories of reasons given for not completing the program: academic difficulties, dislike of the laboratory science field, family problems, financial problems, substance abuse, and other problems not specified. CONCLUSION: Because 80% of the attrition was due to poor academic performance and a dislike of the field, several changes are being made in the Community College of Philadelphia's retention program. An enhanced orientation will be given to all students, and students will be required to visit a hospital laboratory. Early faculty intervention and peer counseling for students with poor academic performance will be instituted.