Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science (대한임상검사과학회지)

Korean Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (대한임상검사과학회)
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Working Conditions that Impact the Workload of Cytotechnologists: A Study Calculating the Actual Man Power Required

세포병리사의 업무량에 따른 적정인력 산정을 위한 업무실태 조사 연구

  • Jee, Soo Il (Department of Pathology, National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital) ;
  • Ahn, Yong Ho (Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Dongnam Health University) ;
  • Ha, Hwa-Jeong (Department of Pathology, Korea Cancer Center Hospital) ;
  • Kang, Jeong Eun (Department of Pathology, Yonsei University Severance Hospital) ;
  • Won, Jun Ho (Department of Pathology, Daehang Hospital)
  • 지수일 (국민건강보험일산병원 병리과) ;
  • 안용호 (동남보건대학교 임상병리과) ;
  • 하화정 (원자력병원 병리과) ;
  • 강정은 (연세대학교 세브란스병원 병리과) ;
  • 원준호 (대항병원 병리과)
  • Received : 2021.01.22
  • Accepted : 2021.04.04
  • Published : 2021.06.30
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Abstract

Cytotechnologists evaluate and analyze disorders of cells that constitute the human body, and are involved in the primary assessment of diverse diseases, including cancer. However, the employment conditions and workload of cytotechnologists are poorly understood. This study was undertaken to provide basic data for establishing the criteria for quality control certification factors based on the scope of effective task performance of cytotechnologists, and to provide results of their workload analysis according to the type of medical institution. The study was conducted by enrolling certified cytotechnologists working at various nationwide medical institutions. Our analysis revealed that 178 personnel (72.7%) were involved in primary screening of samples. On an average, the daily number of primary screening of samples performed per cytotechnologist (76 respondents) was determined to be 75.4 chapters (16.8 chapters/hours) at the university hospital level, 72.4 chapters (18.6 chapters/hours) at the general hospital level, and 231 chapters (32.6 chapters/hours) at professional trust institutions. Our results indicate the necessity to establish a consultant with the Korean Cell Pathology Association, to enable finding solutions to solve existing issues by establishing accurate standard guidelines for assessing cell screening.

세포병리사는 인체를 구성하고 있는 세포의 상태를 분석하여 암을 포함한 다양한 질병을 진단하는 1차 선별자로서 역할을 수행하고 있으나, 세포병리사의 고용 형태, 업무량 등이 제대로 파악되고 있지 않다. 이에 본 연구는 세포병리사의 효율적인 직무수행의 범위, 의료기관의 종별에 따른 세포병리사의 업무량 분석 결과를 토대로 병리과질관리 인증평가항목의 기준 설정에 기초자료를 제공하고자 하였다. 연구방법은 전국 의료기관에 근무하는 세포병리사 자격증 소지자를 연구대상으로 설문조사를 실시하였다. 총 245명의 세포병리사가 설문에 응답하였으며 그 중 1차 선별검사 업무를 수행하고 있는 인원은 178명(72.7%)으로 조사되었다. 각 기관별 1일 기준, 세포병리사 1인의 평균 1차 선별검사 건수는 대학병원그룹이 75.4장(16.8장/시간), 병원그룹이 72.4장(18.6장/시간) 그리고 76명이 응답한 전문수탁 기관은 231장(32.6장/시간)으로 조사되었다. 이에 본 연구결과를 기초로 세포 선별검사 업무에 대한 기준지침을 수립하여 대한세포병리학회 등과 협의체를 구축하고, 현안 사항에 대한 해결방법을 모색하여 국민건강 보건 향상에 기여해야 할 것이다.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This work was supported by the Korean Association Medical Technologist research fund.

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