Please read the following instructions carefully before completing the survey.

The College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario (CMLTO) is offering an ongoing survey opportunity to members of the broader public of Ontario. The “public” encompasses patients, caregivers, family members, and other Ontario residents who rely on the healthcare system and have an interest in the regulation and oversight of healthcare professionals to ensure safe and effective services.

The survey is intended to assess Ontarian’s access to medical laboratory services, gauge public understanding of the CMLTO’s role with relation to the “public interest” along with what your understanding of the public interest is. Additionally, the survey is intended to assess whether or not you feel your community is represented in the role of the CMLTO, and gain your feedback on regulatory oversight within the medical laboratory profession.

Some of the questions provide brief context before prompting your feedback. Please read each of the preambles and corresponding questions carefully.

We would like to advise you that CMLTO Communications staff will be relying on the use of generative AI tools to review this survey data. Your name and personal details will not be included in this analysis, and all survey data will be analyzed anonymously. We have put together an informational resource for you about what these tools are, how we use them, and how we mitigate potentials risks associated with using these tools. You can access this resource here.

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1. Please state your job title or professional affiliation.

Please note that this information will not be inputted into AI tools when analyzing survey results (Required.)

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2. Please identify the area of Ontario that you reside in.

Please note that this information will not be inputted into AI tools when analyzing survey results. (Required.)

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3. You are welcome but not required to answer the following question:

Do you identify as a member of an equity-deserving community? If so, how would you describe your background or community affiliation? CMLTO staff will be using this information to assess public access to laboratory services.

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4. Please read the following contextual information prior to responding to questions 4-7:

In medicine, the majority of decisions about diagnosis and treatment are
based on laboratory test results. Lab tests include: glucose tests to diagnose and monitor diabetes, a biopsy examination to check for cancer, prenatal testing to detect genetic diseases, enzyme analysis to identify heart or liver disease, the assessment of cells and tissues to aid surgical decisions, and more.

The role of a Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT) and other laboratory professionals therefore plays a very important role in our healthcare system.

Medical Laboratory Technologists (MLTs) perform lab tests on blood, body fluids, cells and tissues – nearly half a million in Ontario each day. This helps doctors diagnose and treat patients. They work behind the scenes in hospitals, clinics, and labs, using specialized equipment to detect diseases, monitor health conditions, and ensure patients get the right treatment.

Given your current understanding of medical laboratory services, do you feel that people in your community experience easy, ready access to these services? (Required.)

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5. If there are any barriers that impact your access to medical laboratory services in your area, please identify them.

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6. Do you feel like you have access to medical laboratory services in your area? (Required.)

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7. If you have access to medical laboratory professionals in your area, do you have trust in the laboratory professionals serving in the labs?

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8. Please read the following contextual information before responding to questions 8-11:

The College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario (CMLTO)’s role is to protect the “public interest” by:
  • Regulating Ontario’s medical laboratory technologists (MLTs)
  • Acting as the governing body for MLTs in Ontario
  • Setting the standards for entry to practice to the MLT profession
  • Investigating complaints about MLTs’ professional conduct.
Does the above information align with your understanding of CMLTO’s role with relation to the public interest? (Required.)

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9. CMLTO’s role is to protect the “public interest” as it relates to the safety and quality of the practice of medical laboratory professionals.

Explain your personal understanding of what the “Public Interest” means. (Required.)

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10. What do you understand “protection of the public interest” in this context to mean? (Required.)

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11. The CMLTO exists to ensure that the public receives safe, high quality medical laboratory services provided by CMLTO Registrants.

Do you feel that your community is represented in the overall purpose and role of the CMLTO?

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12. Please read the following contextual information prior to responding to question 12:

In healthcare, regulation means there are official rules and oversight to, ideally, make sure healthcare professionals are qualified, competent, and follow ethical standards. Through the regulatory processes, the CMLTO ensures the public’s right to safe and effective laboratory services.

For example, Medical Laboratory Technologists (MLTs) are regulated by the CMLTO, which means they must meet specific education, training, and professional standards set by the CMLTO. If an MLT makes a mistake or acts unprofessionally, the College can investigate and take action to protect patients.

On the other hand, medical laboratory assistants and technicians are not currently regulated in Ontario. These individuals are who you encounter when you go to the laboratory, as they draw blood samples and perform ECGs.

Do you believe that all the medical laboratory professionals working in medical labs in Ontario should have some form of regulatory oversight? i.e., protection for the public by having a regulatory organization overseeing their practice. Why or why not? Please provide some context in the comment box below after responding Yes/No. (Required.)

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13. CMLTO staff will be conducting a virtual focus group session to seek more detailed input on the topics above. Is this something you would be interested in participating in?

CMLTO focus group sessions are run virtually and typically take 1-2 hours in length. Timing for this session has not been confirmed, and will likely take place within the next year.

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14. If you are interested in participating in the focus group session, please provide your name and an email address that we can use to contact you with more details in the future.

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