Survey on Demand for MSc in Biomedical Science Programme

Recently, the need of MSc in Biomedical Science qualification becomes the hot topic of discussion amongst the MLT professionals. It is because of the introduction of the HOKLAS’s Clinical Laboratory Accreditation Scheme and the Hospital Authority (HA) employee grade review. According to the Clinical Laboratory Accreditation Scheme, it is suggested a Laboratory Director should possess at least a MSc. qualification. For the HA’s employee grade review it is recommended that the minimum qualification required for promotion from Medical Laboratory Technologist to Medical Laboratory Scientist is a MSc. in a related discipline.

In order to meet the demand, the Association is discussing with local institution on the possibility of organising an on-line distance learning programme, with local teaching support, with an overseas university. The Association has done a survey on the demand in early January and data are collected for the future planning of the M.Sc. programme. For the survey, 1500 questionnaires were dispatched to HKMTA members and clinical laboratories of Hospital Authority and private sector. From the results of the survey, 154 out of 189 returns indicated that further training at postgraduate level is needed. Of the 154, 135 respondents possess degree qualification and are immediately eligible to enrol in a MSc programme. Sixty-three percent of them are from HA laboratories and 26% from private sector. The 5 most popular areas of study are Medial Laboratory Management, Molecular Biology, Laboratory Information System and Technology, Quality Management, Proficiency Testing and Laboratory Accreditation and Research Techniques.

Members will be informed the outcome of negotiation and the further details of the programme in due course.