Study of a redesigned medical technology program utilizing student behavioral characteristic ratings

This study investigated nonacademic behavioral traits of medical technology students who were enrolled in two different types of medical technology programs. Subjects were drawn from two universities; the University of Utah and Brigham Young University. Subjects at each university were divided into two groups, one group consisting of those who had completed the traditional three-and-one program, and the other group consisting of those who had completed the new program which has a shortened clinical exposure and a lengthened classroom-laboratory experience. The data provided were statistically analyzed in the following manner. 1. The group of students from the University of Utah in the old three-and-one program were compared to the group of students from the University of Utah in the new integrated program using each of 13 behavioral characteristics. 2. The group of students from Brigham Young University in the old three-and-one program were compared to the group of students from Brigham Young University in the new integrated program using each of 13 behavioral characteristics. 3. All students from the University of Utah and Brigham Young University in the old three-and-one program were compared to all students from the University of Utah and Brigham Young University in the new integrated program using each of 13 behavioral characteristics. The results of these analyses indicated the following: 1. Regarding behavioral characteristics: a. Comparisons based on hospital staff ratings of University of Utah students revealed that on 6 of the 13 behavioral characteristics, students in the new program received significantly higher ratings than students in the old program. One characteristic rating approached significance, while 6 characteristics showed no difference. b. Comparisons based on hospital staff ratings of Brigham Young University students revealed that 1 of the 13 behavioral characteristics students in the new program received significantly higher ratings than students in the old program. One characteristic approached significance, while 9 characteristics revealed no differences. Two characteristics received higher ratings in favor of students in the old program. c. Comparisons based upon hospital staff ratings of all University of Utah and Brigham Young University students revealed that on 6 of the 13 behavioral characteristics, students in the new program received significantly higher ratings than students in the old programs. One characteristic approached significance, while 6 characteristics revealed no differences. 2. There were no differences in grade point averages (G.P.A.) and achievement scores (ACT) for University of Utah students old versus new, Brigham Young University students old versus new, and/or University of Utah versus Brigham Young University students.