Abstract
The National Diploma in Biomedical Technology is unique to South Africa. On completion of this
three-
year National Diploma, Intern Medical Technologists complete twelve-months of Internship training
at a registered training laboratory, followed by a National Professional Board examination in a
chosen discipline.
The high failure rates for Intern Medical Technologists (MTINs) who wrote the National Board
examinations is a serious concern for academic staff from higher educational institutions and
laboratory training staff. To date, no research regarding the reasons for these high failure rates
is available. Any literature regarding the National Board examinations is very limited.
A retrospective mixed method approach was used in this study. The present study obtained
quantitative National Board examination results from the SMLTSA database for the period 2008 to
2012 and qualitative data through a structured and open-ended multi-response electronic survey.
The National Board examination results were statistically analysed be means of a programme named
Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was
used to measure the variances in mean scores between different groups (Gauteng training
laboratories, Higher educational institutions and disciplines) related to the examination scores.
The Pearson Chi- square for independence was used to compare the observed frequencies and
percentages for the number of repeat students for the period 2008 to 2012. The statistical data
indicated that the overall observed mean performance scores of Interns who wrote these examinations
for the period 2008 to 2012 were generally poor and several statistical significant differences
were found.
The surveys were completed by laboratory trainers and supervisors from two private and one
government sector training laboratory as well as the examiners and moderators involved in Clinical
Pathology, Haematology, Chemical Pathology and Microbiology for the period 2008-2012...
M.Tech. (Biomedical Technology)