Curated Resources on Professionalism and Digital Identity in Healthcare

Introduction

As a Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT) in Ontario, these resources help me reflect on the interplay between professionalism, digital identity, and ethical practice. They provide guidance on maintaining accountability, safeguarding public trust, and curating a purposeful online presence while supporting lifelong learning. Integrating these materials into my practice strengthens my ability to interpret clinical data responsibly and demonstrates how professionalism extends beyond the laboratory bench into digital and professional spaces.

Professional and Regulatory Resources:

1. Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS)

Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science. (2023). About CSMLS. https://csmls.org

Annotation:

This official resource outlines the national standards, ethical guidelines, and professional responsibilities for MLTs in Canada. It reinforces the importance of accuracy, accountability, and lifelong learning in laboratory practice. As an MLT, this resource guides my professional conduct and informs my approach to ethical decision-making, both in the lab and in digital environments.

2. College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario (CMLTO)

College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario. (2024). About CMLTO. https://www.cmlto.com

Annotation:

This provincial regulatory body provides licensing standards, professional expectations, and accountability frameworks for MLTs in Ontario. It emphasizes public trust, ethical practice, and patient safety. Understanding these standards helps me maintain professionalism and supports my ability to curate a responsible online presence that reflects my role as a regulated healthcare professional.

Scholarly References:

1. Health Misinformation and Professional Responsibility

Sheng, A. Y., Gottlieb, M., Bautista, J. R., Trueger, N. S., Westafer, L. M., & Gisondi, M. A. (2023). The role of emergency physicians in the fight against health misinformation: Implications for resident training. AEM Education and Training, 7(S1), S48–S57. https://doi.org/10.1002/aet2.10877

Annotation:

This study explores the responsibilities of healthcare professionals in mitigating misinformation online and supporting accurate, evidence-based knowledge sharing. For me as an MLT, it emphasizes the importance of intentional digital engagement, balancing the need for professional visibility with accurate representation of laboratory science.

2. Curation and Professional Online Presence

Wolff, A., & Mulholland, P. (2013). Curation, curation, curation. In Proceedings of the 3rd Narrative and Hypertext Workshop (pp. 1–4). Association for Computing Machinery. https://doi.org/10.1145/2462216.2462217

Annotation:

This paper discusses the concept of curation in digital spaces, emphasizing the organization and meaningful interpretation of information. It supports my strategy of maintaining a minimal but purposeful online presence. As an MLT, curation allows me to engage selectively with professional content, focus on continuous learning, and present an accurate and ethical professional identity.

Summary:

Together, these resources provide a holistic view of professionalism in both laboratory and digital contexts. They guide my ethical practice, support my role as a reliable and accountable MLT, and highlight strategies for curating an intentional online presence. By integrating these insights, I can maintain professional integrity, foster public trust, and ensure that my engagement with digital platforms enhances, rather than detracts from, my contributions to healthcare and patient safety.