Strides in Development of Medical Education

Abstract   Background & Objective: One of the tasks of university is the empowerment of students in various areas such as recognizing the future that be affected by the quality of their learning experiences Thus the aim of present study was considering the association between qualities of learning experiences and development of students futures research ability   Methods: This was a crosssectional descriptive–analytical study The sample size included 223 student of social welfare and rehabilitation sciences in University of Tehran who were selected by nonprobability quota sampling Research instruments included quality of learning experiences questionnaires (Newman 1999) and ability of future research questionnaire (Parsa et al 2011) Both questionnaires have desirable reliability and validity   Results: The results showed that that the qualities of learning experience and the ability of future research of most students is moderate In addition from dimensions of the quality of learning experiences flexibility of learning content and student teacher relationships have the significant positive correlation with the ability of futures research students   Conclusion: Based on the results the quality of learning experiences has correlation with students futures research Thus improve the quality of student learning experience and develop capabilities future studies should be considered by the university

Abstract   Background & Objective: Recently a new technology ie Web 20 has emerged and it is increasingly used in education Wiki is one of the web 20 application which is used in Elearning Wiki is a simple easy editable interactive application that enhances learning so this study was conducted to investigate the effect of using wiki on learning information searching skills on medical students in Kerman University of Medical Sciences Iran   Methods: The study population included the medical students who have chosen the information technology (IT) course in the second semester in 2013 The course was held in four groups two groups were selected randomly One group was considered as test group teaching through wiki (wikispaces) The second one was the control group traditional teaching (lecture) We asked about students attitudes toward learning through a researchermade questionnaire   Result: The most of the students (719%) have used at least one of the web 20 technologies and 219% used Wikis The mean scores of two groups increased and the difference between the mean scores was significant The mean and standard deviation of the students scores before and after training through Wiki enhanced from 280 ± 185 to 1285 ± 426 whereas it was 383 ± 430 to 1375 ± 325 in the traditional group (P < 0001) There was no significant association between two teaching methods (wiki and traditional) (P = 0560) and the improvement of both groups was almost equivalent but most of students (55%) preferred training by wiki   Conclusion: Teaching through Wiki had a positive effect on learning Regarding Wiki capabilities it can be used as a supplement method for teaching

Abstract   Background & Objective: Leadership talent is the rarest resource in todays world that will have continuous conductivity the organizations to be successful in tomorrows world Considering the importance of curriculum leadership in educational department this study was designed to answer the question how do faculty members see curriculum leadership in the post graduate?   Methods: In a qualitative study with purposive sampling of desirable cases type faculty members with management experience and expert in the post graduate were selected and interviewed using semistructured method Data were analyzed using thematic content analysis including: data collection data reduction deduction and analysis in the MAXQDA software version 2007   Results: After interviewing 18 faculty members with sufficient experience and management experience in the postgraduate courses we achieved a richness of information saturation and data replicate 500 codes were extracted from research data under five main categories and were classified These categories included: educational atmosphere improvement curriculum development curriculum implementation curriculum evaluation and supervision innovation and facilitate change and adaptation   Conclusion: Participants in this study suggested five main categories and 18 subcategories that represented curriculum leadership roles These roles are in the applicable and comparable area with curriculum cycle including: the planning implementation supervision evaluation and change In addition these roles were also emphasized on educational atmosphere improvement that is platform background supplier infrastructure and prerequisites for the curriculum cycle

Abstract   Background & Objective: Given the importance of academic achievement in medical students and an effective role of motivational different variables in students academic achievement including worth giving to task and learning strategies this research investigated the association between learning strategies task value and academic achievement of medical students   Methods: This was a descriptive study and the sample size included all students in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences The statistical sample ie 251 of whom were selected by proportional sampling Method of data collection was using a standard questionnaire valid and reliable Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics independent sample ttest and regression   Results: Deployment replication strategies and mental rehearsal and organizational in students error level of error 005 was less than the average level But the uses of semantic expansion strategy and task value the students were more than the average weighted average (3) respectively On the one hand between the use of replication strategies and mental rehearsal and semantic expansion strategy task value there was a significant association with academic achievement in students   Conclusion: Teaching learning strategies preparing brochures and/or even deliver credit courses the use of learning strategies and study can be useful measures of students familiarity with the appropriate learning strategies On the other hand due to the effect levels task value on academic achievement attention should be given to the developing courses interests and educational needs of students to provide more attention

Abstract   Background & Objective: The lack of critical thinking among students indicate that nursing education in achieving professional did not success and nurses foster thoughtful and it still remains a challenge in the world Accordingly in recent years learning styles new and creative methods of facilitating critical thinking such as studentcenter teaching methods have been given more attention The association between learning styles of postgraduate students with critical thinking in School of Nursing and Midwifery Kerman University of Medical Sciences was designed   Methods: This was a descriptiveanalytical correlation with the study of 90 nursing students at the graduate level (Masters and PhD) university in 2011 and 2012 Instruments were two questionnaires California critical thinking form B and Kolb learning styles   Results: There was a significant correlation between the critical thinking and teaching approaches (P < 0001) so that active teaching approaches students (studentcentered) were better trained in critical thinking Between learning styles and critical thinking were also correlated so that the converging style (1304 ± 267) and most accommodating style (382 ± 133) have the lowest average critical thinking   Conclusion: The results of the studies one on revising instructional strategies current use of active teaching strategies to improve critical thinking and attention to individual learning styles are emphasized

Abstract   Background & Objective: The present study aimed to compare the students ability in answering to patient management problem (PMP) and modified essay question (MEQ) examination with multiplechoice question (MCQ) examination and its association with educational promotion   Methods: This research carried out in two sections descriptiveanalytic and qualitative on 76 nutrition students of Kerman University of Medical Sciences Iran who were selected by census The first and second examinations were PMPMEQ and MCQ respectively Educational promotion variables were grade point average (GPA) in 5 sequence semesters and GPA in current semester The other variables were the grade in food toxicology course the scores in PMPMEQ PMP and MEQ exams and MCQ exam The second section was designed with the aim of comparing the overview of students in regard to PMPMEQ and MCQ exams Data were analyzed by descriptive and analytic statistics   Results: The association between educational promotion variables and mark of food toxicology course and MCQ exam were statistically significant (P < 0001) however there was not a statistically significant association between these variables and the other variables Mean differences scores of MCQ and food toxicology course were significant (P < 0001) however scores of PMPMEQ test and PMP and MEQ sections in two students groups based on categorized GPA were not statistically significant   Conclusion: Therefore the students inability in answering to PMP and MEQ examination in comparing to the MCQ examination format was showed students incapability in evaluation of clinical competence even with regard to their high GPA and scientific knowledge

Abstract   Background & Objective: Improving the quality of education is the most central values of academic institutions and higher education Given professors have played a decisive role in this context for assessing the quality of education we need to evaluate the quality of instruction One of the common methods for professors evaluation is evaluation by students that it usually takes place at the end of each semester With regard to the professors evaluation data are of various types: the longitudinal data or repeated measurements over time therefore to evaluate it the quality of instruction should be used with longitudinal data analysis However such methods often are explained by complex methodology This article introduces multilevel linear model and generalized estimating equations approach and valueadded models by simple and applied expression as appropriate models for analysis of longitudinal data such as professors evaluation data

Abstract   Background & Objective: In addition to teaching predesigned courses physicians are usually expected to participate directly in designing curriculum during their professional life Today traditional education systems are not sufficient for developing the expected competencies in physicians One of the applications of new advancements by cognitive sciences in curriculum design is the development of strategies for improving the quality of the undergraduate medical education curriculum Educational strategies are “fundamentaloriented decisions in teaching which are aimed to achieve educational goals”   Methods: This was a narrative review that introduced and explained the most important educational strategies in undergraduate medical curriculum through surveying valid electronic and library resources   Results: Now the most important educational strategies in undergraduate medical curriculum are: a series of studentcentered problembased learning integrated or interprofessional teaching communitybased electivedriven and systematic strategies (SPICES) and also a set of strategies that are productfocused relevant interprofessional short courses multisite locations and symbiotic (PRISMS) and a group of realistic integrated feedback learning and evaluation strategies (RIFLE) as well   Conclusion: Each strategy is represented as a spectrum In each spectrum the educational planner must define the position of every component of the curriculum In order to apply these strategies the curriculum must be intervened according to the selected strategy so that the results of the evaluations and evidence of interventions ensure the planners that the quality of the curriculum is improved

Abstract   Background & Objective: Since fewer educational problems lead to improvement in educational quality and eventually student performance in the delivery of emergency medical services at the clients bedside this study was conducted to evaluate the educational problems of emergency medical students   Methods: This study used qualitative conventional content analysis Data were collected by semistructured interviews Sixteen participants including 12 new graduate paramedic in associate degree and 4 instructors by purposeful sampling in Khorasan province Iran were selected Data analysis was conducted by content analysis   Results: After data analysis three themes have emerged including the lack of appropriate teaching methods theory and practice gaps and curriculum reform   Conclusion: According to the results educational problems in paramedic education were inappropriate teaching approaches not applying classroom content in practice scene and incomplete curriculum Therefore paramedic educational leadership must try to solve these problems until paramedics can provide high quality services to community

Abstract   Background & Objective: Public speaking is a common academic activity Social phobia is associated with fear of public speaking which affects educational achievement However few researches have examined the prevalence of social phobia among university students in Iran The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of social phobia among students of Kerman University of Medical Sciences Iran and its impact on their academic performance   Methods: Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) Brief Version of Negative Evaluation Scale and a questionnaire assessing demographic characteristics and academic performance were applied to 700 randomly selected students from Kerman University of Medical Sciences   Results: The prevalence of social phobia among the university students was 406% Grade Point Average (GPA) was not significantly different between the students with social phobia comparing to students without social phobia Yet students with social phobia believed that fear of speaking in public had negative effects on their academic performance In this study only 41% of students with social phobia have been visited by psychiatrists   Conclusion: Preventive strategies are recommended to reduce the underrecognition and the adverse impact of social phobia on academic performance of university students

Abstract   Background & Objective: Considering student input is a key component of dental education process The objective of this study was to evaluate the last two years students perspectives about practical training at Zahedan Dental School Iran and related factors in the academic year 201112   Methods: In this descriptive analytical study 108 fifth and sixth semester students of Zahedan Dental School participated who were selected by census method The modified clinical education instructional quality questionnaire (with confirmed validity and reliability) was distributed among students at the second half of all courses in first semester of 201112 academic year and each of students recorded his or her own perspective about the presented educational department The questionnaire consisted of clinical learning opportunities learned practical activities and interaction with clinical instructors The minimum and maximum scores of each part and the total questionnaire were 1 and 5 respectively Mean scores were calculated based on the Likert scale rating The data were analyzed using oneway ANOVA and independent samples test at the significant level 005   Results: The mean total students perspective score was 348 ± 087 of the maximum of 5 The highest mean perspective scores belonged to interaction with clinical instructors and clinical learning opportunities respectively The mean of total perspective score of fifthyear students was significantly higher than that of the sixthyear students (P = 0032) There was also significant differences in mean total score of students perspective in respect to age gender and grade point average (GPA) (P = 0048 P = 0040 and P =0037 respectively)   Conclusion: Students reported practical training as relatively favorable Students perspectives also determined the weakness and strength points of practical training

Abstract   Background & Objective: Adequate time and an organized plan to study have an efficient role in improvement educational performance This study was performed to determine the dental students skills and habits in Kerman dental students   Methods: This crosssectional study was conducted on Kerman dental students in 2013 Data were collected by questionnaire in 2 parts demographic characteristics and study skill and habits consist of 24 questions in 6 domains Higher scores indicated more appropriate study skills and habits   Results: 481% were males and 519% were females with mean age of 2346 ± 609 years The mean score was 7132 ± 1065 out of 120 There was a significant correlation between the students total mean score (P = 0049) mean of study hours (P = 0033) and studying before class (P = 0050) with the mean score of questionnaire 77% 859% and 64% had good study skills moderate and poor study skills and habits respectively 519% had 24 hours daily study and 468% had 68 hours daily in exams interval   Conclusion: Study skills and habits in this study were moderate Teaching study skills can help dental students in better learning and understanding

Abstract   Background & Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the condition in the Department of Environmental Health Engineering from different viewpoints and determining its changes during the period under study as well as reviewing their strengths and weaknesses opportunities and threats to enhance the level of quality   Methods: This was a descriptive study that was done for six years from 2008 untill 2013 by Environmental Health Department Goals faculty members students courses and curriculum the teaching learning and graduates groups were evaluated Then criteria and indicators were developed   Results: Interviews observation questionnaires and check list for each evaluation criteria according to their importance in comparison with other markers were weighted Finally the overall results obtained at the minimum and maximum weight of each criterion was determined based on scores according to Likert scale   Conclusion: Environmental Health Department has been earned 302 out of the total 361 points State of Department of Environmental Health a total of six years was satisfactory and has been growing The only unfavorable case was the lack of credit given to groups that operate in the area of group decision making is not straight Identifying the bottlenecks recommended to be taken in order to focus on improving the challenging situations

Abstract   Background & Objective: In addition to teaching predesigned courses physicians are usually expected to participate directly in designing curriculum during their professional life Today traditional education systems are not sufficient for developing the expected competencies in physicians One of the applications of new advancements by cognitive science in curriculum design is the development of strategies for improving the quality of the undergraduate medical education curriculum Educational strategies are “fundamental oriented decisions in teaching that are aimed to achieve educational goals”   Methods: This article was a narrative review that introduced and explained the most important educational strategies in undergraduate medical curriculum through surveying valid electronic and library resources   Results: Now the most important educational strategies in undergraduate medical curriculum are a series of studentcentered problembased learning integrated or interprofessional teaching communitybased electivedriven and systematic strategies (SPICES) and also a set of strategies that are productfocused relevant interprofessional short courses multisite locations and symbiotic (PRISMS) and a group of realistic integrated feedback learning and evaluation strategies (RIFLE) as well   Conclusion: Each strategy is represented as a spectrum In each spectrum the educational planner must define the position of every component of the curriculum In order to apply these strategies the curriculum must be intervened according to the selected strategy so that the results of the evaluations and the evidence of interventions ensure the planners that the quality of the curriculum is improved

Abstract   Background & Objective: Simulation is an educational technique which through providing whole or part of a clinical experience helps students to learn without being afraid of either their personal weaknesses or hurting the patient during interaction Manipulation of medical education is widely being spread all over the world and this can be due to various factors such as technological improvements ethical issues relating to practicing clinical skills crowdedness of clinical environments for educational purposes illness severity in most patients drop in the length of patients stay in the hospitals shortage of specialized staff in hospitals to facilitate educational process and so on   Methods: The current study has reviewed existing books library references papers and essays available in different scientific databases using keywords of “simulation” “medical education” and “clinical skills”   Results: Simulation offers several advantages including increase in patients safety reinforcement of interactive learning and studentcentered improvement in problemsolving abilities and critical thinking skills and selfpaced learning Despite all the abovementioned benefits the point is that due to the high costs of simulation equipment as well as improper cost management policies particularly in educational centers several studies should be run to analyze outcomes of manipulation of different simulators on students learning and then based on the efficiency of the simulators the proper ones be used for educational purposes in clinical environments

Abstract   Background & Objective: Positive attitude towards the field of study and future career in students can be an important factor in success and harmony with the surrounding environment changes The aim of this study was to determine the health student attitude towards their field of study and future career   Methods: In this crosssectional and analytical study that was carried out on 220 students from the School of Health Data were collected with a questionnaire including demographic characteristics attitude towards their field of study motivation academic and familyperson of problems and attitude towards their future career   Results: The mean scores of attitude toward students in their future career was 2007 ± 474 which 754% of the students had a positive attitude towards their future career The mean score of attitude toward student in field of study was 1792 ± 466 which 874% of the students had positive attitude toward their field of study In this study a significant association was observed between attitudes toward future career and attitude toward students field of study (P < 005)   Conclusion: Based on the results of this study the students had a positive attitude towards their field of study and future career Strengthening of training programs providing advice and support for students in career can justify a useful role attitudes are reinforced

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