Original Article
Gholamali Dehghani; Mohammad Yamani Douzi Sorkhabi
Volume 6, Issue 1 , July 2009, Pages 1-9
Abstract
Background & Objective: To ensure students research experience acquisition is o ne of the most important goals of conducting a thesis In such a process evaluating students satisfaction is one of the most significant challenges Hence this research was aimed to study students satisfaction of ...
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Background & Objective: To ensure students research experience acquisition is o ne of the most important goals of conducting a thesis In such a process evaluating students satisfaction is one of the most significant challenges Hence this research was aimed to study students satisfaction of thesis conducting process and its related factors in Tabriz University of Medical Sciences Methods: In this survey 100 medical dentistry and pharmacy students who were becoming graduates and were about to defend their thesis participated Samples were selected using stratified sampling Data was collected using a questionnaire which its reliability and validity were already confirmed Results: According to the results mean (±SD) of supervision on thesis scientific skill development research bases skill development of research and thesis assessing process were 331(±095) 342(±071) 226(±080) 337(±070) and 347(±092) respectively The mean score of research bases was significantly less than others (P= 00001) The mean score of female students satisfaction of research bases and developing research skill was significantly higher than male students (P= 0026 and 004 respectively) Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that the lowest students satisfaction belonged to “scientific seminar planning” “financial support of scientific activities” and “scientific and research atmosphere” all belonged to research bases As research infra structure and atmosphere are important factors in research activities they should be among priorities of higher education planning
Original Article
Behnam Sadeghirad; Ali-Akbar Haghdoost; Majid Fasihi Harandi; Azadeh Rooholamini
Volume 6, Issue 1 , July 2009, Pages 10-20
Abstract
Background & Objective : In this study we aimed to evaluate the status of Worlds leading universities in PhD students education and to compare it with Iranian universities applying the approach of educational status evaluation in a research based way Methods: Using a systematic review ...
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Background & Objective : In this study we aimed to evaluate the status of Worlds leading universities in PhD students education and to compare it with Iranian universities applying the approach of educational status evaluation in a research based way Methods: Using a systematic review all documents present in the webs and related links of universities of first 10 countries in Shanghais Academic Ranking of World Universities were systematically reviewed information related to PhD education was systematically collected and analyzed Results : Reviewing 28 leading universities revealed that the educational model in educating PhD students in 22 of them was research based and the rest are using course based model Passing taught courses as an index in course based model is considered to be among minimum course requirements in most of the universities which are using research based model In cases where passing such courses is voluntarily a consultant professor plays a significant role in guiding the students in selecting and attending theoretical courses Conclusion : Based on the above explanation and similar to other successful countries it seems that it is time to create various models for training postgraduate students to meet industrial needs With revisions in educational curriculums purposeful attempts should be made to solve possible problems and train people who meet countrys developmental needs in regards with the twenty year prospect
Original Article
Malek FereidouniMoghadam; Bahman Cheraghian
Volume 6, Issue 1 , July 2009, Pages 21-28
Abstract
Background & Objective : Improvement in learners academic performance is one of the main goals of educational centers Academic performance is affected by a lot of factors study habit is one of them Considering the importance of ones study habits in academic performance this study was conducted ...
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Background & Objective : Improvement in learners academic performance is one of the main goals of educational centers Academic performance is affected by a lot of factors study habit is one of them Considering the importance of ones study habits in academic performance this study was conducted to identify the students study habits and their relationship with academic performance in Abadan School of Nursing Methods : This cross sectional study was conducted on 150 students of Abadan School of Nursing in 2007 Data was collected using Palsane & Sharma Study Habit Inventory questionnaire which was completed in a selfdirected way at the time of holding final exams Results : According to the results of this study the mean score ( ± SD) of the students study habits was 4826 ( ± 116) out of 90 1133 percent of the students had unsatisfactory study habits while 807% and 8% had relatively satisfactory and satisfactory study habits respectively There was a significant week and positive relationship between the students study habits and their academic performance (P=0001 r= 027) There wasnt any significant relationship between study habits and semester age and marital status Conclusion : Generally speaking the students study habits are considered to be moderate that is to say that their study method is not of good quality Considering the importance of study habits in academic performance and achievement planning to improve students study habits and methods and interventions in this regard can be effective
Original Article
Seyed Kamran Soltani Arabshahi; Jalil Kohpaye Zadeh
Volume 6, Issue 1 , July 2009, Pages 29-33
Abstract
Background & Objective : Educational institutions use different tools for evaluating their own activities In this study DREEM (Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure) model was used as a diagnostic tool to evaluate curriculum problems and efficacy of change in education Methods ...
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Background & Objective : Educational institutions use different tools for evaluating their own activities In this study DREEM (Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure) model was used as a diagnostic tool to evaluate curriculum problems and efficacy of change in education Methods : This crosssectional study was conducted in four major clinical wards including internal medicine pediatrics obstetrics ;gynecology and general surgery in four educational hospitals of Iran University of Medical Sciences A questionnaire including 35 questions concerning three domains of students learning teachers and educational atmosphere was distributed amongst 53 clinical teachers in the aforementioned wards Results : The mean score was 116 out of 140 which was interpreted as very satisfactory Regarding all three domains of learning teachers and educational environment the highest mean score belonged to pediatrics ward whereas the least belonged to internal medicine ward There was a significant difference between clinical wards concerning educational environment (P=0042) The internal medicine wards score was 393 while pediatrics ward got 462 Conclusion : According to the mean score it seems that the university teachers consider learning and teaching to be suitable As for the least score which was given to educational environment in internal medicine ward it seems that problems in appropriate communication between teachers and learners in this ward have led to a stressful environment Since DREEM model is suitable for educational changes comparing teachers and learners points of view and planning to solve problems in internal ward could be useful
Original Article
Javad Faryabi; Maryam Farzad; Neda Sinaee
Volume 6, Issue 1 , July 2009, Pages 34-39
Abstract
Background & Objective : Clinical evaluation of medical students using OSCE has been introduced as an efficient way Nowadays this method is applied in some departments of Kerman School of Dentistry for clinical evaluation This research was conducted to assess the university students point ...
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Background & Objective : Clinical evaluation of medical students using OSCE has been introduced as an efficient way Nowadays this method is applied in some departments of Kerman School of Dentistry for clinical evaluation This research was conducted to assess the university students point of view about clinical evaluation using OSCE in Kerman University of Medical Sciences to inform educational authorities about present problems together with evaluating students opinions Methods : In this cross sectional study 89 dentistry students answered a questionnaire including 12 multiple choice questions and two open ended questions The validity and reliability of the questionnaire were already confirmed Results : According to the results of this study most of the students (786%) declared that holding practical final exams and clinical evaluation in the form of OSCE increased their stress Only 348% gave a positive reply to the question concerning whether OSCE is a useful clinical evaluation method 202 percent agreed with continuing OSCE and 613% were against it Conclusion : An increase in students stress could affect their disagreement with evaluation using OSCE Unlike students negative approach towards efficacy of holding OSCE and considering its global satisfactory results useful steps should be taken to improve OSCE and attract students satisfaction after solving pitfalls and making improvements Further studies are suggested to assess the efficacy of these actions
Original Article
Sedigheh shayegh; Hosein Mirkhani; Leila Bazrafcan
Volume 6, Issue 1 , July 2009, Pages 40-49
Abstract
Background & Objective : Since 2003 University Open Day (UOD) is being held in Shiraz University of Medical Sciences to introduce the Universitys capacities and help students become familiar and finally select a study field This study aimed to evaluate students point of view about the effect ...
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Background & Objective : Since 2003 University Open Day (UOD) is being held in Shiraz University of Medical Sciences to introduce the Universitys capacities and help students become familiar and finally select a study field This study aimed to evaluate students point of view about the effect of UOD on selecting field of study in Shiraz University of Medical Sciences Methods : In this descriptive crosssectional study a selfdirected questionnaire was distributed amongst students of all study fields and educational levels including technicians bachelors medicine dentistry and pharmacy in entrance years 2003 to 2007 in their classrooms Results : Among 940 students of entrance years 2003 to 2007 in all fields and educational levels only 218 (23%) had visited the UOD Most of them (60%) declared the reason that they chose their field was their matriculation score alone or together with other factors 27 percent (the minority) believed that the guidance provided by UOD attending authorities was a contributing factor to select a field The majority (635%) demonstrated that parents contributed to field selection while 05% chose the guidance provided by UOD attending authorities as a contributing factor 36 percent of students declared that they chose the University due to being close to their hometown or family and only 2 (1%) declared that the guidance provided by UOD attending authorities affected their choice Conclusion : According to the results of this study and costs of holding this program revisions should be made in following years and UOD should be held in other forms
Original Article
Seifollah BorjianBorujeni; Hedayatollah Shirzad; Soleiman kheiri; Zahra Haghshenas; Hossein Mirzavand; Ahmad Beigi; Bijan Nekouee
Volume 6, Issue 1 , July 2009, Pages 50-56
Abstract
Background & Objective : An educational council one of the most important parts of each university plays the main role in solving students educational problems This study was aimed to analyze the students educational problems in Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences according to the councils ...
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Background & Objective : An educational council one of the most important parts of each university plays the main role in solving students educational problems This study was aimed to analyze the students educational problems in Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences according to the councils minutes from 2002 to 2005 Methods : In this study 333 cases of the students educational problems were extracted from the minutes of 66 educational councils meetings during a period of four years They were analyzed according to the students study field level turn (morning or evening courses) sex and the state of being native Results : Among all request for omitting a course educational leave and registering a course were the most frequent problems Non native students educational problems were more than native ones (68% and 43% respectively) and males problems (98%) were more than females (38%) (p=00001) Educational problems among students of medicine (84%) radiology (76%) and field of fighting against diseases (59%) were more frequent than others The difference between the frequency of problems in the students attending morning classes (53%) and those attending evening classes (52%) was not significant Conclusion : This study revealed that the students educational problems were different in various study fields There were significantly more problems in male and non native students (who are less supported by the families) compared to female and native ones Family financial and health problems lack of enough knowledge among students and tutors about educational rules stood amongst the most important factors leading to the students educational problems
Original Article
Forougheh Montajeb; Zahra Atai; Hosein Safizadeh
Volume 6, Issue 1 , July 2009, Pages 57-65
Abstract
Background & Objective: Maintaining the international standards and research elements in dissertations leads to clearly showing the results in a scientific way It also facilitates indexing abstracting and easily using them in information sources This study aimed to assess ISO 7144 standards ...
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Background & Objective: Maintaining the international standards and research elements in dissertations leads to clearly showing the results in a scientific way It also facilitates indexing abstracting and easily using them in information sources This study aimed to assess ISO 7144 standards and research elements in dissertations of different schools from 1999 to 2004 in Kerman University of Medical Sciences Methods: In this crosssectional study 602 dissertations in schools of medicine dentistry pharmacy and nursing (masters degree) were evaluated Data was collected using a checklist Results: Results of this study showed that there was a general ascending trend in maintaining ISO standards and research elements in the dissertations The mean rate of maintaining ISO standard and research elements in references (9081%) results (7787%) figures and tables (7729%) were higher than the other parts In literature review (484%) thesis statement (502%) and abstract (5518%) it was lower than other parts This score was the highest in the dissertations of the School of Nursing (709%) in comparison with the other three schools Conclusion: Our results suggest that although an ascending trend in maintaining ISO standards and research elements in the dissertations is met but the general status is not satisfactory Hence it is suggested that maintaining international standards become obligatory so internal dissertations would be applicable and documented in international spectrum together with improvement in quality
Original Article
Nikoo Niknafs; Pedram Niknafs; Bahare Bahman-Bijari
Volume 6, Issue 1 , July 2009, Pages 66-73
Abstract
Background & Objective : Many cases of neonatal deaths which are caused by asphyxia could be prevented by appropriate resuscitation Successful resuscitation depends on several factors including the skill of nurses and midwives involved in taking care of sick neonates Methods : In this ...
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Background & Objective : Many cases of neonatal deaths which are caused by asphyxia could be prevented by appropriate resuscitation Successful resuscitation depends on several factors including the skill of nurses and midwives involved in taking care of sick neonates Methods : In this study 88 nurses and midwives in Kerman Province Hospitals participated and all completed an 11hour neonatal resuscitation course Among the participants 25 were selected for the based line survey After five months all of them sat for a theoretical and practical test including nine stations Results : Five months after the workshop the mean theoretical and practical scores of the participants in different hospitals showed a significant difference (P=00001) Scores of the practical test varied in different stations The highest score belonged to “neonates tactile stimulation” while the lowest was given to “resuscitating a non vigorous meconium stained neonate” There was a weak inverse yet significant relationship between age and the time past from graduation with the practical score (P=0035 r=023 and P=0017 and r=025 respectively) Practicing on mannequin and studying the provided notes on resuscitation led to getting a significantly higher score (P=00001 and P=0046 respectively) Conclusion : This study shows that teaching resuscitation alone may not guarantee skill in people Maintaining resuscitation skill is influenced by factors such as age job status practicing on mannequin and participation in neonatal resuscitation
Original Article
Farangis Shoghi Shafagh Aria; Aboulfat Lameei; Reza Labbaf Ghasemie; Mahmood Ekrami
Volume 6, Issue 1 , July 2009, Pages 74-80
Abstract
Background & Objective : Total Quality Management (TQM) is a new approach to management which must be implemented gradually during some stages The first step is to create readiness for change conducting quality management is not possible before acquiring enough readiness This study was conducted ...
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Background & Objective : Total Quality Management (TQM) is a new approach to management which must be implemented gradually during some stages The first step is to create readiness for change conducting quality management is not possible before acquiring enough readiness This study was conducted to evaluate the readiness of Iran Universities of Medical Sciences for conducting Total Quality Management (TQM) according to educational managers point of view Methods : In this descriptive study the participants were all educational managers of 34 Universities of Medical Sciences including 314 vice chancellors for educational affairs heads of Medical Education Development Centers deans and provice chancellors for education Data was collected using a researchermade questionnaire containing 27 questions about 11 signs of readiness Results : The results of this study revealed that considering readiness for conducting Total Quality Management 9% of the universities were moderate (50 to 59% of the score) 79% were approximately good (60 to 69% of the score) and 12% were good (70 to 73% of the score ) The mean score for universities readiness was 645% Readiness for applying TQM philosophy in behavior had the highest score while readiness for allocating resources had the lowest score (78% and 4786% respectively) Conclusion : The results imply that the universities have had an improving trend and an appropriate atmosphere is ready for conducting Total Quality Management
Review
Abbas Bazargan
Volume 6, Issue 1 , July 2009, Pages 81-88
Abstract
Background: Quality of higher education has been drawing more attention over the past two decades Hence concerted efforts have been increasingly made to assess and improve higher education quality worldwide Some of these attempts have led to establishing local national and international organizations ...
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Background: Quality of higher education has been drawing more attention over the past two decades Hence concerted efforts have been increasingly made to assess and improve higher education quality worldwide Some of these attempts have led to establishing local national and international organizations for assessment and accreditation Based on the above this study is discussing the answer to the question concerning “To what extent attempts towards quality assessment in Iran have been directed to establish a national agency for assessment and accreditation?” To address this question first ground breaking experiences experience of Iran in this regard are described Then international experiences and challenges of building a national quality assessment and accreditation in higher education system in general and in medical education in particular are reviewed Finally perspectives of establishing Iranian Universities Quality Network are analyzed Conclusion : Institution building in assessment and accreditation would help strengthening of ownership of quality assurance in faculty members as a result continuous quality assessment and improvement of higher education would become an integral part of higher education system
Commentary
Narges Obeidi; Nilofar Motamed
Volume 6, Issue 1 , July 2009, Pages 91-97
