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Policy Paper: The implementation of RA 10650
Open Distance Learning to the Continuing Professional Development of the Medical Technologist

By: Christine R. Guerrero

Abstract

The continuing education is an integral part to the medical and health care profession to enhance performance, improve technical competency, upgrade new skills and promote health awareness. It’s about time that the medical technologist be informed and level up the 21st century skill in medical laboratory science and in public health. Despite of the laws supporting the online education, the progress of online or web-based education system has been very slow and unreliable, there has not been created a medical technology courses offered in the the internet intended to supply the demands of the CPD programs especially to the medical technologist in far places like the provinces or abroad. The research method used in this policy paper study is descriptive analysis or describing characteristics of a population or phenomenon. It describes the the educational and training needs of the medical technologist in a fast-paced health care setting, and the challenges to eliminate the barriers of geographic and economic condition, and thus the need of online course.

While the online learning has overwhelming benefits and advantages, for the online course to be successful the students should be self-disciplined, self-motivated, goal-oriented, responsible, and organised. They should also possess skills in time management, multitasking, and critical thinking.

Reform in this area should include the following: The student must be informed and be ready of the basic knowledge and requirements of online learning methodology. This includes the distance learning readiness, assessment or screening of the students. And to achieve the full benefits of online learning, there should be an option of blended learning as a support to provide the students learning instructions through acquired cognitive learning and motivation and encouragement from the instructor.