Iranian Journal of Medical Education

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Introduction: Regarding the importance of student-centered learning in postgraduate courses, we decided to design and perform a problem-based learning (PBL) method and evaluate it in the epidemiology and research methods course in M.P.H program. Methods: This is a one-group study. Participants were oriented about course objectives and divided in groups of three. Course duration was 34 two-hour sessions. Fourteen problems were given to the groups to be discussed. The results of discussions were presented in large group. Students' attitudes about the course was gathered using 19 questions by means of 5 point Likert scale and two open questions. Results: Observations confirmed participants' interest to the new learning method by doing their exercises on time. Attitude assessment showed that the mean of student scores was between 79.4 and 86 out of 100. The mean and standard deviation of satisfaction score about the new method of teaching were 18±1.2 out of 20. Conclusions: Considering the success of this course, it is worthwhile to try this learning method in similar courses for postgraduate students.

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Introduction. In order to improve planning, educational methodology, and evaluation in medical education, well-proportioned, exact and prospective programs are needed. Without doubt, the main changes in medical education programs have resulted from researches performed in this area during the last decades. Revision of medical education in Iran began by the Cultural Revolution Council by order of Imam Khomeini in 1981. The medical group of the Council revised the aims and plans of medical education and suggested a unified Ministry of Health and Medical Education. Methods. Searching in the National Medical Papers Collection performed across two periods, (1979 till 1993 and 1994 till 1998) showed that 9981 papers have been published during 20 years more than half of them belong to the last five years and 83% to the last 10 years. Articles related to research in medical education were extracted and their sources and studied subjects were categorized. Results. Fifty-six papers were published during the studied 20 years period 64 percent of these articles were presented within the last 5 years. The frequency of papers was higher in the fields of “Aim and planning” and “Student”. Discussion. Research development in medical education needs special planning in which the importance of research and its role in self-improvement, independency and country development are defined. It should use existing abilities in order to grow creative powers in a suitable way. The resources of such reforming activity are available in Education Development Centers of the Universities of Medical Sciences in Iran.

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Introduction. One way to measure the impact of educational programs is the evaluation of graduates' performance in their workplace. The present study was conducted to evaluate B.S. nursing graduates' performance from the perspectives of their own and their head nurses in hospitals affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 2001. Methods. This research was based on triangulation study and was carried out in two phases using two methods: In the first phase, in order to gather necessary data to design the questionnaire, Delphi method was used and in the second one, in order to carry out the very evaluation, Survey method with Parallel design was utilized. Sampling method was based on census and the study population consisted of two groups: 97 B.S. nursing graduates and 49 head nurses. A questionnaire composed of 6 performance dimensions was used to collect the data. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by content validity and the reliability was determined by Alpha-Kronbach. Results. Study findings were as follows: average performance evaluation score given by graduates was significantly higher than their head nurses', except for the education and research dimensions. Further, concerning the levels of good and excellent, the highest and lowest frequencies were respectively attributed to the nursing care (91.7%) and the education and research (42.3%) dimensions by graduates and to the professional development (67.3%) and the education and research (30.6%) dimensions by head nurses. Conclusion. Nursing graduates' low performance in educational and research areas can be improved by proper programming and cooperation between educational groups. Also, presenting continuing education concerning research and nurses' educational activities can fortify these performances.

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Introduction. Dissertation is one of the important and valuable information resources especially in libraries. In fact, dissertation reflects the accepted university pattern for research presentation. Evaluation of dissertation subjects during a special period presents the university research strategy. This study was performed to determine the structure and charachteristics of postgraduate dissertations of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Methods. All postgraduate dissertations of IUMS during 1989-1999 were evaluated using a checklist for their structure (i.e. introduction, methods, results, discussion) and type of study (Basic, Applied, Experimental-Devolopment), Experimental, Quasi experimental and Observational. Results. 83.9% of dissertations were for either MD, pharm D or DD 8.9% for PhD, 6.3% for MS and 0.9% for Medical specialty degree. The results showed that 96.6% of these dissertations were applied and 34% basic- applied and, their distribution varied among different schools (School of Dentistry had the most applied dissertations). 47.7% of dissertations were descriptive, 22% descriptive-analytical, 0.6% analytical, 0.6% quasi-experimental and 26% experimental research. There was a great variaton in dissertation structure among different schools. Conclusion. The results of this study indicated the importance of shifting thesis subjects to basic and analytical researches. Also, it could be used as a guide for planning dissertation subjects. Structural differences of thesis among different schools reveal the need for designing an “acceptable unique pattern of thesis writing” in the whole university.

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This article reviews some of the ethical aspects of collaborative research or collaboration of national and international centers in health car researches. Scientific collaborations are of potential advantages, but, it’s a challenging task to successfully accomplish a collaborative research on ethically sound grounds. Current trends in international collaborative healthcare researches reflect limited benefits for the majority of world population. Collaborative research among scientists and researchers of universities and industry section usually has financial considerations. Successful cross-cultural and international collaborations have to overcome many regional and global barriers. Despite these difficulties, most scientific collaborations usually begin with an informal meeting or contact. With the advancement in global communications, scientists have greater responsibility towards world community while considering the impact of their collaborative partnerships. This article reviews the main factors required for developing a collaborative partnership and discusses the needed strategies for sustaining this relationship. Finally, it is concluded that healthcare researchers can play an important role in establishing harmony and resolving international and global problems in the field of collaboration.

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Introduction: One of the most important components of educational technology is educational needs assessment. This study tried to answer the question of, what the real needs of bachelor nursing students based on their experience? and what themes the refer to as their learning needs. Method: A phenomenology research was performed to study the experience of students regarding their learning needs using Colaizzi model. Twenty five male and 20 female nursing students were selected by purposive sampling and divided to 4 small groups. The data gathering was done through group discussion. Also, a face to face interview with 4 nursing instructors was performed and the interviews were recorded with their permission. Data was transcribed as soon as possible and analyzed by thematic analysis method. Results: The learner needs assessment model was obtained based of 5 main themes including: Nursing instructor, curriculum planning, educational management, social and environmental facilities and learner. According to this, learner-based need assessment model was developed in which, in addition to five main themes, there were three variables of responsibility taking, recognizing nursing profession and acquiring mental tranquility which were effective on increasing the learners’ capabilities. Conclusion: Nursing instructor’s need assessment lies in the center of learning. Curriculum, powerful educational management and providing the needed facilities for teaching and learning can assure the quality of bachelor nursing educational program.

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Introduction: General physicians (GPs) and dentists have to acquire reasonable research capability during academic education in Iran. For this purpose, various educational programs such as: statistics and research methodology course, Health System Research (HSR) workshop and research thesis have been planned in their curriculum. The purpose of this study was to determine knowledge, attitude and research ability of general practitioners and dentists graduated from Hamadan University of Medical Science (HUMS). Methods: In a descriptive study 60 general physicians and dentists who had been graduated in the previous 2 years, were selected randomly and asked to design a research proposal. They were also asked to complete a valid and reliable questionnaire containing 22 questions regarding their knowledge and attitude. The data was analyzed by SPSS software using frequency, mean, standard deviation, frequency and t-test. Results: The mean and standard deviation for knowledge and attitude were 12.5±2.72 (out of 22), and 55.25±6.49 (out of 80), respectively. The mean and standard deviation of research capability was 15±7.27 (out of 34). In total, 27.5% of GPs and dentists had low knowledge, while, only 3% had negative attitude towards research. There was no significant relationship between HSR workshop participation and research capability. Conclusion: The majority of medical doctors and dentists graduated from Hamadan University of Medical Sciences had low but acceptable knowledge about research methodology. More than 50% of them had low research capability, but more than 95% had a positive attitude towards research. In total their research capability was far from optimal situation.

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Abstract Introduction: Research is the basis of nursing and should be in accordance with society’s health needs. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the master theses’ subjects in nursing conform to the burden of diseases as Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). Methods: In this comparative study, 373 researches registered in the lists of school libraries or university web sites as master degree theses in nursing during 2000-2005, were investigated. Then, their subjects were compared with the etiology of burden of diseases as Disability Adjusted Life Years in Eastern Mediterranean Region published in World Health Organization Report in 2003. Results: The proportion of theses’ topics and the etiology of burden of diseases, including intentional and unintentional accidents, sensory disorders, congenital anomalies, gastrointestinal and dental diseases, respiratory diseases , nutritional deficiencies and endocrine disorders was less than optimum. In contrast, the proportion of theses’ topics on cardiovascular, genitourinary, dermatology and musculoskeletal diseases, diabetes mellitus, neoplasms and maternal and antenatal problems was more than the related DALYs. In addition it was optimum for neuropsychological disorders. Conclusion: Most theses’ topics were in accordance with this health index. Considering the high number of theses concerning maternal situation, specially ante-natal problems and also, urogenital tract, it is suggested to avoid this over attention and consider other topics such as accidents and their burden more, in doing research and thesis.

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Introduction: Several studies have recommended revisions in educational programs based on learners' feedbacks and needs. This study was performed with the aim of exploring and describing the meaning of challenges and feelings experienced by nursing students during their study. Methods: This qualitative study was performed as phenomenology on 20 senior nursing students selected by purposeful sampling method. In-depth and semi-structured interviews were used for data gathering. Data was analyzed by the team of researchers using hermeneutic analysis method. Results: Findings were categorized into three major themes including challenge of "integrating knowledge and practice" with minor themes of employing theory in practice, using nursing procedure, and following scientific principles in clinic, the challenge of "management of learning environment" with the minor themes of environmental factors' effect on students' learning, causes of hopelessness and disappointment with nurses, preference in evaluation, deficiencies of educational programming, and lack of respecting patients' rights and privileges, and the challenge of "lack of community's respect to the value of nursing" with the minor themes including recognizing stَAuts of nursing discipline, and the necessity for its revision, attitude of individuals and society toward nursing and limited independence of nursing. Conclusion: Interviewing students provided an insight into the challenges of educational environment which students had faced, during their study. Using the results of this study, nursing educators could build a positive and stimulating environment for students' learning and motivate them to maintain their interest in education and learning.

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Introduction: Theses are considered as one of the main sources of information. The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics and structures of students' theses as well as their research methodology. Methods: In this descriptive study, all dentistry students' theses from the year 1998 till the year 2004 (176 theses), were investigated based on the aspects of thesis' structure, research methodology, and the results. Results: Thirty seven point five percent of theses were descriptive, 17.6% were experimental, 16.5% were descriptive-inferential, 6.8% were inferential, and 8% were clinical trials studies. Ten point two percent of the theses gained excellent quality score, 64.8 percent gained good quality score, 24.2 percent gained moderate quality score, and 0.6 percent gained poor quality score in writing and research methodology. Conclusion: More supervision should be placed on theses quality by supervisors. It is also suggested to encourage students towards inferential and experimental studies. Moreover, the need to train students in regard to research methodology and statistics is emphasized and it is recommended to develop a comprehen-sive guideline for writing theses.

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Introduction: Although activities carried out in Hamedan University of Medical Sciences in regard to publishing scientific articles are appreciable, they are not gratifying yet. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the factors affecting reluctance to scientific writing from the viewpoints of basic and clinical sciences faculty members in Hamedan University of Medical Sciences in 2006. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study which was performed using census sampling method. The study population included all faculty members (n=260) of Hamedan University of Medical Sciences. The data gathering tool was a questionnaire consisting of two parts, asking about demographic data and measuring attitude. Questionnaires were distributed among all faculty members and finally the data driven from 228 gathered questionnaires was analyzed by SPSS software using descriptive statistical methods. Results: Among the participants of this study, 102 persons (44.8 percent) were in basic sciences department and 126 persons (55.2 percent) in clinical sciences department. The primary factor affecting reluctance to scientific writing from the viewpoints of basic sciences group, was lack of proficiency in language skills with the mean score of 3.95±0.96 and from the viewpoints of clinical sciences members, it was due to extra occupation in educational affairs, teaching, and treatment with the mean score of 3.88±1.17. Conclusion: The participants of this study believed that extra occupation in educational activities and lack of proficiency in language skills are the primary barriers to willingness for scientific writing.

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Introduction: Several studies indicate a significant growth in research activities and scientific achievements in Iran during recent years. Isfahan University of Medical Sciences as a main university has had a special situation in this regard. The aim of this study was to determine science productions of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences since its establishment, during1985 till 2007. Methods: This was a descriptive study, performed based on the data retrieved from ISI Web of Science and Medline databases. Results: Researchers of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences indexed 313 scientific article in Medline and 350 in ISI. Among all schools and centers affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, school of medicine was ranked in the first place regarding scientific productions indexed in the 2 mentioned databases. Conclusion: This study demonstrates a significant growth in producing scientific articles in this university especially after the year 2000. Establishing the rewarding system for article writers, developing and expand-ing the infrastructures for internet, providing on-line services in this university, subscribing scientific databases and electronic journals, and running workshops in research methodology and scientific writing were among the most important factors causing this progress.

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Introduction: The situations affecting teaching and learning nursing fundamental course may influence acquiring competencies in primary clinical skills. Several reasons have been mentioned for this problem. The aim of this study was to describe the experiences and viewpoints of nursing students and instructors on nursing fundamental course. Methods: This was a qualitative study using thematic analysis method. Fifteen nursing students, 4 nursing instructors, the head nurse of operating ward, and two nurses graduated from the university in which the study was performed, were selected through purposive sampling and interviewed. All interviews were transcribed, analyzed. Results: Using thematic analysis, a significant number of preliminary themes and 7 main themes each having few other sub-themes, were extracted. The main themes included educational factors, not respecting the standards in performing the techniques, the gap between theory and practice, motivation, human resources, communications, management staff, equipments, and physical environment. These main themes and other sub themes have been explained in the main article using direct statements of study samples. Conclusion: The results of this study revealed problems in communication in educational environment and interaction between instructor and students as well as lack of motivation among nursing instructors and students. These are the main principles of the appropriate teaching and learning. It is recommended that nursing education administrators pay more attention to these aspects of educational process and remove the causing factors.

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Introduction: Most studies concerning clinical education of nursing students have been performed qualita-tively. This study was performed to more deeply investigate the students’ education at nursing clerkship and explore the experiences of nursing students, instructors, and hospital administrators from the clinical educa-tion of nursing students. Methods: In a qualitative study a semi-structured interview was done with 8 nursing students at the end of clerkship, four nurses working as ward administrators, an education supervisor, and two supervising instructors. Qualitative content analysis was employed for analyzing the data. Results: Six central variables were realized (emerged) including lack of readiness for entering into clinical learning environment, undesirability of student assessment process, lack of advantageous relationship between the nursing school and the hospital, ideal planning for clerkship shifts, deficiency in clinical educa-tion, and the effects of clerkship on hospital and patients' affairs. Conclusion: According to the findings of the study, it is necessary for the nursing administrators to place more effort to resolve the present problems specially the relationship between the nursing school and the hospital, and to renovate hospital into a favorable learning space to meet educational goals of nursing clerkship

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Introduction: Every year some faculty members continue their education to get their PhD in the form of scholarship, educational assignment, or other ways. Granting scholarship for studying inside or outside the country imposes many problems and high costs to the Ministry of Health and medical universities in Iran. This study aimed to compare the educational, research and administrative performance of faculty members taking advantage of scholarship funds or using other sources to continue their studies for PhD degree. Methods: This descriptive study was done on faculty members of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences who completed their PhD degree during the years 1986-2006. Data gathering tool was a researcher-made questionnaire including three parts asking about faculty members educational, administrative and research performances. The obtained results were analyzed by SPSS software using descriptive statistics, t-test, and ANOVA. Results: In total 82 faculties were studied among which 39 had used external scholarship, 16 had internal scholarship, 12 were on educational assignment, and 13 had continued their studies without using any mentioned procedures. There was a significant difference (p=.01) between the 4 groups in evaluation scores (educational performance). But, no significant difference was observed in their administrative performance. Regarding their research activities, a significant difference was observed in some research areas such as conducting research (p=.002), articles published in Iranian journals (p=.004), and in journals outside the country (p=.04). Conclusion: According to the results, faculty members using external or internal scholarship had a lower performance in their research activities compared to the other groups. Also, the administrative activities of faculty members with external scholarship were less than the others. Therefore, it is recommended that through more detailed and extensive studies, re-examine the policies and regulations regarding scholarship or educational assignments.

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Introduction: Generally every organization's success relies on its employees' efforts as well as their job satisfaction. Identifying the factors leading to job satisfaction among faculty members could be useful in increasing their satisfaction and motivation for efficient educational and research activities. This study was conducted to determine job satisfaction rate among faculty members of University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study performed on 94 faculty members of Tehran University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences in the year 2008. Data was gathered through a researcher-made questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS software using mean, standard deviation, and Principal Component Analysis. Results: The mean and standard deviation of faculty members’ job satisfaction was 72.6 ± 16.91 out of 135. The mean and Standard deviation for the domains under investigation were as follows: Economy (7.00 ± 2.212) out of the total score of 15, education (9.31 ± 1.81) out of the total score of 15, research (11.47 ± 2.41) out of the total score of 20, administration (13.95 ± 3.29) out of the total score of 25, motivation (26.77 ± 5.81) out of the total score of 50, and welfare (4.11 ± 1.47) out of the total score of 10. As a result of Principal Component Analysis of all domains including motivation, research, economy, administration, education and welfare it was revealed that motivational domain with the score of .847 was the most effective and economic domain with the score of .657 had the least impact on the job satisfaction of faculty members. Conclusion: Faculty members were almost dissatisfied with their job considering different mentioned domains. This satisfaction was a little more desirable in the domains of education, research, and motivation compared to the domains of welfare, administration, and economy. Educational leaders and administrators need to ensure more job satisfaction and welfare for faculty members through strategic planning and defining appropriate goals.

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Introduction: Attention to professionalism in pharmacy on the one hand, and imposing the students to pass eight credits of dissertation, as well as lack of systematic principles of thinking and research in course syllabus from the other hand, emphasize on a need for including the course of thinking and research methodology in course syllabus of pharmacy. Methods: Through numerous structured interviews with academic members, graduated students and students of pharmacy, the needed outlines of the course were prepared and approved. Then, the course was taught in form of a one credit subject, and at the end of the course, student’s view points regarding this course was collected through a survey. Results: Approved outlines such as personal professional skills, research principles and methods were taught in the first semester of 2008-2009. The survey showed that in addition to students' satisfaction, they emphasized on increasing the number of its credits. Conclusion: This study not only showed a need among pharmacy students for a systematic thinking and research principles but proved the applicability and appropriateness of this course as well.

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Introduction: Clinical teaching is a major part of medical education without which it is impossible to train competent physicians .With regard to the complexity of clinical teaching, current changes in medical environment and diverse roles of clinical teachers, the necessity of doing a comprehensive study on such phenomenon, was felt. This study aimed to explore effective background factors of clinical education based on clinical teachers’ experiences. Methods: This is a qualitative study with conventional content analysis. Data were collected through purposive sampling and semi-structured interviews conducted with clinical teachers, informal interviews conducted with the students, and field observations. Results: Based on the obtained results of coding steps, educational structure, professional duties and motivational elements were background factors affecting clinical teaching. Education time constraints, diverse and overloaded duties of clinical teachers, lack of financial support, lack of an appropriate position for teaching, priority of research over education and the challenges in teachers’ role are the most important factors affecting clinical teaching. Conclusions: Making a change in educational structure to have a culture that values clinical teaching and respects that as a service can solve a lot of clinical teaching and clinical teachers’ problems. The findings of the present study can help the authorities in medical universities and faculty members to take strategies to promote the quality of clinical teaching.

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Introduction: Peer teaching/learning is an effective educational intervention for students of health sciences in clinical settings. This study explores facilitators and barriers in application of this method in clinical settings. Methods: It is a content analysis qualitative study in which the focus group discussion is used for data gathering. Two groups of nursing students (n=15) of Bushehr University of Medical Sciences who were trained through peer education in pediatric or neonatal wards in year 2009, explained about how they experienced peer learning. Results: Analysis of interviews revealed 3 categories of facilitators including type of the job and workload, educational role of the instructor, and students’ characteristics. Also three categories of tension in working environment, trivial supervision of instructor, and competitive performance of students were identified as learning barriers in this method. Conclusion: It may be recommended that teachers brief this method to the students and then start using the method with low workload and less stress to the students and finally keep an eye over its implementation process. Further study in this domain by experts of different fields is recommended.

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Introduction: Universities are the most important setting for science production and organizing academic research is one of the most effective strategies in society development. The main idea of this study was identifying the internal barriers to academic research from viewpoint of faculties in Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Main question was which obstacles affect research activity from faculties' point of view. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in 2008. Through stratified random sampling in eight college and research centers, 227 faculty members were selected, all responded to the survey. Researcher-made research tool was designed in six areas including finance, facilities, professional, research competency, individual & organization-management obstacles in the four-item Likert scale. Data analysis was done by t test, MANOVA, ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test. Results: Barrier scores were significantly higher than the average (62.5). All obstacles were proved from faculties point of view (P<0.01). Financial barriers had the most average (86.216.5) and scientific barriers had the lowest average (79.119.1). Mean of facilities, professional, individual barriers, and organization-management obstacles were 80.218.2, 82.319.2, 81.518.6, 82.618.2 respectivly. However, faculties attitude about obstacles was not correlated with their research activities rate (P>0.05). In addition, a significant difference was observed among faculties' view and sex, scientific degree, discipline & having management responsibility (P<0.05), but this relationship was not observed about experience years (P>0.05). Conclusion: Different barriers affect research activities based on faculties' point of view. Reviewing the approval process for research projects, empowerment of human resources, attention to research utility, designing of communication and information system can also be effective in solving problems and barriers to research