Evaluation methods for assessing cytotechnology students' screening skills.

The development of slide screening skills to achieve diagnostic accuracy is the goal of cytotechnology education. There is limited time in the typical cytotechnology training program in which to acquire the didactic knowledge as well as screening experience. It is easier to teach the morphologic criteria necessary to refine diagnostic skills, but more difficult to teach and acquire locator skills. A survey was conducted to document and assess methods of evaluating screening skills utilized by U.S. cytotechnology educational programs. Graduation requirements and grading methods related to slide screening volume and accuracy were provided by survey participants. Current methods are varied, but appear to be effective in assessing diagnostic accuracy and graduate competence. A considerable period of time is required for students to gain enough screening experience to perform at required levels of volume and accuracy.