Medical Technology

in the Philippines:
Problems, Resources,
and Needs

Jonna E. Agabe – Tacsay,RMT,MSMT

Rochelle D. Darlucio, RMT
College of Medical Laboratory Science
Our Lady of Fatima University
Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, the students
shall be able to:
•Discuss the factors affecting the
demand for health services in the
Philippines.
•Explain how the different factors
affect the demand of health services in
the Philippines
Factors affecting the DEMAND for
HEALTHCARE SERVICES in the PHILIPPINES:
 Income
 Price
 Health Insurance
 Age
 Sex
 Family size
 Education
 Health knowledge and beliefs
 Health need
 Distance of source of Health care
Factors affecting the DEMAND for
HEALTHCARE SERVICES in the PHILIPPINES:
Income
Higher income families can afford the use
of preventive health services; reduction in
their “REAL” need for health services
 Price
Price has negative effect on the
demand for health care; user fees
would reduce the poor’s access to
health care more than the rich’s
Factors affecting the DEMAND for
HEALTHCARE SERVICES in the PHILIPPINES:
Health Insurance
Viewed as a method of financing the
demand in healthcare; health insurance is
expected to raise the utilization and
expenditure of healthcare
Age
Variation of ages in the family will increase
the use of health services
Factors affecting the DEMAND for
HEALTHCARE SERVICES in the PHILIPPINES:
 Sex
Sex is an insignificant factor on the
demand of healthcare services; Sex discrimination
Is the major underlying reason
 Family size
Larger family has a higher frequency of illness;
more potential patients
Larger family size vs. smaller family size with the
same income level; reduction of the larger family’s
actual use of health services
Factors affecting the DEMAND for
HEALTHCARE SERVICES in the PHILIPPINES:
Education
Greater education ; enables a person
in early recognition of symptoms of illness =
greater willingness to seek early
treatment
Health knowledge and beliefs
An individual’s health, knowledge and
beliefs affect his efficiency in maintaining personal
health = diet,proper hygiene, and preventive
measures
Factors affecting the DEMAND for
HEALTHCARE SERVICES in the PHILIPPINES:
 Health need
Felt need vs. actual needs; type of illnesses
or its perceived seriousness
 Distance of source of Health care
More distant a healthcare facility; less likely
to be visited
Road improvement, access to transportation,
and affordable travel cost; reduction of the
economic “distance” from the healthcare facilities
It was predicted that starting the year 2007-
2010, the medical technology profession would
boom and there would be lesser demand for
nurses.

What would happen to

the medical technology
profession?
PROBLEMS, NEEDS AND DEMANDS OF
MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

Problems:
High cost of College Education
Wages are low
Work condition and environment
Health
PROBLEMS, NEEDS AND DEMANDS OF
MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

Needs:
Master the principles and
theories of medicine
Pass the licensure examination
for Medical Technology
PROBLEMS, NEEDS AND DEMANDS OF
MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

Demands:
Philippine’s medical sector is
blooming in the United States
Emigration of professional
manpower
Increase in enrolment in medical
technology program
Medical Technologist: Professionals Worth
Rewarding

Multiple Careers
Medical Technologist have a wide range
of career options
Job Satisfaction
Making a real difference in patient’s lives
contributes to high levels of job
satisfaction among medical laboratory
technologists
Medical Technologist: Professionals Worth
Rewarding

Independence
Medical Technologist often work
independently with minimal supervision
Expanding Roles
The demands for faster testing and
constant monitoring of a patient’s illness
may necessitate the involvement of
medical technologists in clinical practice
Medical Technologist: Professionals Worth
Rewarding

Travellers and Explorers

A career in medical laboratory technology
may be one that is full of adventures
because medical technologists are
required to explore new techniques and
technologies in laboratory medicine in
different parts of the world
Medical Technologist: Professionals Worth
Rewarding

JOB MOTIVATION
1. Achieving goals
2. Gaining a positive perspective
3. Creating the power to change
4. Building self – esteem and capability
Medical Technologist: Professionals Worth
Rewarding

SELF - DETERMINATION THEORY

Competence
Relatedness
Autonomy
Employment Opportunities
for Medical Technologists
Traditional Roles
Medical Technologist Hospitals: Laboratory Area

Blood Bank Molecular Diagnostics

Components-Transfusion Mycology/ Virology
Tissue Typing Nuclear medicine
Hematology Microbiology
Coagulation Cytogenetic/genetics
Clinical Microscopy and Body fluid Parasitology
Urinalysis Cytology/ histopathology
Fecalysis Pathology- Anatomical
Semen Analysis Forensic Science
Immunology/serology Drug analysis (Toxicology)
Infection control Phlebotomy
Processing Quality Assurance
Employment Opportunities
for Medical Technologists

Non-Traditional Roles
Health Care Administration
Hazardous Waste coordinator Infection control officer
Health care Administrator Epidemiologist
Hospital Quality Assurance Laboratory Supervisor
Coordinator Laboratory Administrator
Employment Opportunities
for Medical Technologists

Non-Traditional Roles
Health Care Agency/ Government
Crime Laboratory Drug/HIV Testing
Scientist Environmental
Department of Health- Educator Health inspector
Department of Health- Proficiency
Test consultant
Health educator
Health Management Organization- Health Educator
Employment Opportunities
for Medical Technologists

Non-Traditional Roles
Education
Educator of Students in:
Clinical settings/ Clinical Instructor
Faculty Member BSMT
Higher Education
Administration
Board Examination Reviewer
Medical Community Services
Program Coordinator
Employment Opportunities
for Medical Technologists

Non-Traditional Roles
Industry
Adviser in development of, or inventor of Lab. Tests
Biomedical Specialist in Occupational Health
Cell Culture Consultant
Food Technologist (Quality Assurance Manager)
Health Promotion and Education Specialist
Quality Control/ Quality Assurance
Monitor/ Director
Employment Opportunities
for Medical Technologists

Non-Traditional Roles
Research and Development
Technologist/ Director
Research Scientist
Sales person/ Med Rep
Technical Representative
Research-Basic and Applied
Research Assistant
Associate
Scientist
Director of Research