Relevance of the Master's Program in Clinical and Molecular Laboratory Diagnosis at the National University of Chimborazo, Ecuador

Abstract

Introduction: relevance studies are a crucial tool to ensure the quality and effectiveness of master's programs, ensuring they meet the expectations of students, society, and educational institutions, the objective of the research was to evaluate the relevance of the Master's program in Clinical and Molecular Laboratory Diagnosis at the National University of Chimborazo concerning current trends, advances in science and technology, and professional demand. Methods: descriptive investigation with a quantitative approach. The population consisted of 238 professionals, divided into two samples: "A" composed of 205 clinical laboratory professionals, and "B" composed of 23 employers in the same field. A non-probabilistic convenience sampling was used for both samples.Results: the study confirmed the need to establish this master's program to improve the training of clinical laboratory graduates. 99 % of the respondents expressed interest in pursuing postgraduate studies, supporting the program's feasibility. The 23 employers supported the training of professionals with advanced studies, allowing them to update their knowledge. The program's relevance lies in addressing key areas identified as weaknesses, highlighting the urgency of improving training to provide more effective patient care.Conclusions: the study confirmed the need for the master's program, with 99% of respondents interested and employer support, highlighting the importance of updating knowledge and improving skills to offer more effective clinical services.