Working Conditions that Impact the Workload of Cytotechnologists: A Study Calculating the Actual Man Power Required

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.

Keywords

• cytotechnologist
• primary screening
• workload