Data from this study explored three research questions. The first question studied the academic qualifications, teaching, research, and clinical MLS experience of MLS academics in Australia, and the second reflected on the comparative data of the research track record and level of appointment of Australian MLS academics from 2019 to 2021. Thirdly MLS student enrolment and graduate outcomes were collected.

Academic Qualifications, Teaching, Research, and Clinical MLS Experience of MLS Academics

Interestingly, there was only a meagre growth in academic appointments from 2019 to 2021 which may have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Encouragingly more academics held a PhD and the level of appointment increased, reflected by promotions or new appointments with Senior Lecturer (equivalent to Assistant Professor) remaining at the predominant level in both 2019 and 2021. Not surprisingly, the level of appointment could be correlated to the research track record, with the number of publications as a significant explanatory variable. This highlights the necessity of a strong publication record for an academic appointment and the need for ongoing research in both academic and clinical research in pathology [3].

The breadth and depth of research interest were varied, and thematic analysis of the respondent’s answers to MLS research did not necessarily include traditional MLS themes. Comments supporting this included “I do maintain an active research portfolio [but not research in Medical Laboratory Science] it is in clinical trials and cohort studies.” Academics commented that it was hard to conduct MLS research when they were from a non-MLS background as “MLS research is not my major area of expertise,” or they could not attract high quality MLS students because “there is a general lack of interest in MLS research careers.” Obtaining grant funding for MLS topics was limited, or research time was limited due to heavy teaching loads, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, or the employment profile if the academic held a “teaching only academic role.” Academics commented that when they could conduct research it was made easier by access to funding, facilities, engaged students/collaborators, and doing research outside of MLS themes. It was also important to have an academic profile that included research time, “I have 40% time allocated for research as part of my continuing academic position, an excellent laboratory, and previous training.” This is in line with other studies in health-related fields that show increased research productivity when supported financially and with protected time to conduct research [14].

However, MLS specific research or MLS work experience does not appear to be a significant factor in MLS academic appointments with over half of the respondents without work experience as a Medical Laboratory Scientist or Technician in a private or public clinical pathology laboratory.

Teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic was also interrupted and reflected by comments that made it hard to teach MLS due to a “reduction of face-to-face teaching” and interruption to work-integrated learning placements that postponed student graduations. This impact was felt worldwide with a disruption to in-person teaching and an immediate online pivot of programs that specifically affected practical-based programs that were modified or could not be taught online due to the nature of the bench work or hands-on learning required (including work integrated learning placements) to meet accreditation standards [15,16,17,18].

More astounding were the comments from MLS academics that were not reflected by the pandemic but on self-importance and lack of recognition from peers as reported as “seen as a lightweight in terms of research outcomes and my previous work [experience as a MLS Scientist] not recognized and seen as being less important than research experience.”

Not having clinical experience in a pathology laboratory was a major theme of not being able to teach MLS well, “I don’t have clinical or industry experience” or “the fact that I am a basic research scientist (molecular biologist) and have never worked in a clinical laboratory makes it more difficult to teach students in this clinical program.” Interestingly, although having MLS work experience but not holding relevant qualifications (AQF+1) could preclude employment. “I couldn’t employ MLS staff as the university had restrictions on employing sessional staff with only industry experience.”

Contrary to this, it was reported that having a passion for teaching practical skills, work experience in diagnostic pathology laboratories “bench work,” and a PhD resulted in a positive teaching experience in MLS. Respondents reported that they found “knowledge and experience in MLS has helped understand Clinical Biochemistry and its relevance in the real world so embedding this discipline into courses is relevant” and additionally “I worked for many years as an MLS, therefore, I know what is relevant, I am interested in the field and it is rewarding to see students learn and progress”; furthermore, “I have gained invaluable experience as a Senior Medical Scientist which provides me with the current industry collaborations to keep me up to date with current content. This enables me to transfer this knowledge to students in an undergraduate setting.”

Positive affirmations suggest that experience and passion for MLS by academics make MLS teaching and research easier and likely convey enthusiasm and motivation for students to pursue a career in MLS. The insightful factors that make it easy or hard to teach and conduct research in MLS have the potential to expand the impact of teaching on other healthcare professional education programs. There are likely similar themes in accredited programs surrounding teaching and research opportunities and prior work experience which impact positive or negative perceptions of an academic role.

Comparative Data of the Research Track Record and Level of Appointment of Australian Medical Laboratory Science Academics from 2019 to 2021

The academic level of Senior Lecturer (equivalent to Assistant Professor) remained the predominant appointed level in both 2019 and 2021, with an increase of six promotions or new appointments from 2019 to 2021 from Lecturer to Senior Lecturer. Research track record continues to be an important factor in the level of appointment. Consistent with previous research [3, 19], the number of publications was skewed toward the lower end relative to a lower appointment level and is likely attributed to less time in the profession. Interestingly, the mean number of total publications increased in 2021 and was significantly higher than in 2019 which was not consistent with other health academic programs during the COVID-19 pandemic [20]. Initially, lockdowns, restrictions, and funding to conduct research disrupted activities, and it was reported that the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with an 18% decrease in the production of non-COVID-19 research in health-related fields; however, publications in COVID-19 health-related articles increased substantially [21]. While it was beyond the scope of this study to assess each individual publication by the level of appointment, it was promising that research in MLS continued during the pandemic, which was possibly attributed to an increase in acceptance of COVID-19 publications, given the field of research in MLS.

However, an increase in research and subsequent publications during the COVID-19 pandemic did not affect all scientists equally. It has been reported that this was not the case for female scientists, [22] especially those conducting bench work in MLS and especially scientists with young children who were unable to devote time to research due to caring duties noted a substantial decline [23]. Of note, in MLS, the average publication frequency in 2019 and 2021 was higher in males compared to females across all academic levels; however, gender was not an explanatory variable on the level of appointment.

Student Enrolment and Graduates in MLS

Of the 12 AIMS accredited universities invited to participate, seven responded with student graduate enrolment and outcome measures which reported a meagre growth in enrolment numbers and a decline in graduates. These outcomes were likely impacted by the number of students unable to complete their required clinical placements during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the on-site restrictions, which subsequently resulted in delayed graduations or increased attrition. This had a knock-on effect on the employment of MLS graduates to MLS Scientist positions during this time.

In Australia, in 2019, there were over 28,000 employed MLS Scientists. At the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, this dropped to less than 23,000 (similar to employment data in 2016) [5]. While employment figures have risen and are expected to grow moderately to reach 28,400 by 2026 in Australia [24], there will be demands on tertiary educators to graduate MLS students to meet this gap.

In Australia, Victoria continues to have the highest employment rate of MLS employees with almost a third (31.7%) employed as MLS Scientists. Around 82% of Medical Laboratory Scientists live in capital cities, and Victoria has a large share of employment relative to its population size, with Melbourne, the capital city of Victoria, with the largest share of employed MLS Scientists [5]. Interestingly, there is only one AIMS accredited MLS program in Victoria, the Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Laboratory Medicine), at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) that produces MLS graduates.

Limitations

The authors are mindful that this research was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic and data collected at this time may not be representative of actual or predicted data pre- or post-pandemic for all MLS university programs. The response rate to the online questionnaire was 25% (n = 31) and may not reflect all attitudes and experiences from the 125 identified MLS academics. Only seven of the 12 AIMS accredited universities responded with enrolment and graduate data, and results were reported on only data received in this study. However, university website information and Scopus research data did provide a wealth of information even without qualitative insight from MLS academics. Further investigation of the type of research publications would provide insight into the depth and diversity of research published in the MLS field and whether research productivity was influenced by COVID-19-specific publications.