WITHDRAWN: Irish Medical Laboratory Professionals and COVID-19: Response, Effect and Reflection on Future Practice

Abstract

<title>Abstract</title> Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented effect on healthcare staff across the globe. Medical laboratory professionals are central in the diagnosis and monitoring of treatment of most diseases, including COVID-19. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and previous pandemics have been examined for other healthcare professions, but there has been no study examining the effects of a pandemic, or any other healthcare emergency on medical laboratory professionals. Method: A voluntary, online survey of 37 closed and open questions for medical and healthcare scientists working in Ireland was conducted in May 2020. The survey examined the responses and effects of COVID-19 on medical laboratory professionals along with any lessons learned. Statistical significance was determined by two-tailed t-test (unequal variance). Results: There were 272 respondents, representing over 10% of the total workforce of Medical Scientists in Ireland. The respondents reflected all ages, grades, and disciplines in laboratories across Ireland and 87% of respondents reported a change to core working hours. Increasing workload complexity was reported by 70% of respondents. More than half of respondents reported increased work stress during the pandemic. The pandemic has also resulted in improved work-based solidarity. Approximately 90% of respondents were proud of their laboratory’s response to COVID-19, although degree of pride was significantly higher among managerial staff as were feelings of being appreciated, suggesting opportunity for further communication of praise. The study reports lessons learned thus far in the pandemic, including realisation of their service’s flexibility and adaptability, the necessity of collaboration and preparedness and the importance of their work.Conclusions: The respondents have identified challenges, including lack of career progression opportunities and under-utilisation of their professional skills, paucity of public knowledge of the roles undertaken in the laboratory and remuneration disparities, combined with concerns regarding retention of newly-qualified and other staff owing to alternative career opportunities.

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