Iranian Journal of Medical Education
Year:2004 | Volume:4 | Issue:2 (12)|Papers Count:20

Introduction. The high rate of attrition among nursing students and their lack of interest for continuing their profession have caused some nursing leaders to think about the necessity of considering the students’ personality during the process of admission to nursing schools. Due to the lack of studies on Iranian nursing students' personality, this study was designed to determine the freshmen's personality characteristics and their compatibility with the demands of nursing profession. Methods. A descriptive study was conducted at Tehran and Kashan medical universities and one of the Azad universities. Convenience sampling was used and 52 first year nursing students were assessed using Holland vocational interest inventory.Results. Sixty three point five percent of students were female, 36.5% were male and their mean age was 22±1.2 years. Based on the Holland’s vocational interest inventory, 44% did not have appropriate personality characteristics for the nursing profession. Seventy seven percent of nursing students believed that they lacked enough information about nursing at the time of selecting nursing as their discipline of study.Conclusion. Considering their most salient characteristics, almost half of nursing students were not compatible with the necessary requirements for nursing profession. It is recommended to use personality tests for selecting the best students for nursing schools among those who show good academic capabilities.

Introduction. One of the important duties of nursing managers is staff development for improving the quality of nursing care. If staff development is designed and implemented based on proper principles and nurses’ needs, it can lead to the improvement of nursing care. In this study, we have tried to present an applied model for nurses’ in-service education and determine its effect on the quality of nursing care.Methods. A quasi-experimental research with two groups, using pre and post-tests was performed. A sample of 60 patients were selected randomly and divided to two experiment and control groups. The quality of nursing care in surgery unit was assessed by a separate checklist. Educational model was designed based on the educational needs of nurses and presented to the experiment group by the nurses for three months. The control group received the routine in-service education. Then, the quality of nursing care was assessed one month after education in each group. The data was analyzed by SPSS software using independent and paired t-test.Results. The quality of patient care and patient education increased significantly after the intervention in the experiment group. Also, a significant difference was observed between the control and experiment groups in the quality of patient care and patient education.Conclusion. Considering the effectiveness of the designed model on the quality of nursing care and patient education, it is recommended to use this model as an effective educational model for in-service nursing education in order to achieve high quality nursing care.

Introduction. Today, the promotion of critical thinking skills is considered an expected outcome of postgraduate studies. This study was designed to determine the critical thinking skills of nursing students of Semnan University of Medical Sciences. Methods. In a descriptive cross-sectional study 107 continuous and incontinuous bachelor nursing students were investigated in 2001. The California Critical Thinking Skill Test, form B (CCTST: FB) composed of 34 multiple choice questions was used to assess the critical thinking skills in five areas of analysis, evaluation, inference, inductive and deductive reasoning. The data was analyzed by SPSS software using ANOVA, t-test, Spearman and Pearson correlation coefficient.Results. The mean and standard deviation of critical thinking scores for continuous and incontinuous bachelor students were 12.34± 2.45 and 11.27± 3.10, respectively which were significantly different. There was a significant difference between critical thinking skills scores of continuous bachelor nursing students in different years of study, but no significant difference was observed between mean scores of first and second year incontinuous bachelor nursing students. A poor but significant correlation was seen between students’ average marks in previous semesters and their scores in the test (r=0.31).Conclusion. Continuous bachelor nursing students were superior to incontinuous bachelor nursing students in terms of critical thinking skills. There was also a significant difference between junior and senior nursing students. Nursing education improves the critical thinking skills of continuous bachelor nursing students, but, investigating the role of the university education seems necessary.

Introduction. Recognizing factors affecting job motivation can be very helpful in increasing efficiency and job satisfaction of university faculty members. In order to Identify the internal and external factors of job motivation, this study was conducted to determine the effective factors on job motivation of faculty members in Rafsanjan Medical University. Methods. In a descriptive study, all faculty members of Rafsanjan Medical University (n=82) completed a questionnaire developed by the investigator based on Herzberg’s theory and consisted of 40 questions. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed by content validity and test re-test. The data was analyzed by SPSS software using frequency distribution and chi2.Results. Eighty one percent of faculty members considered external factors and 72% considered internal factors important in job motivation. Among the external factors, wage and sallary, job security, work environment, communication with others, supervision and the work policy had the most important role, respectively. The most important internal factors included nature of the job, appreciation of employees, professional development and job success, respectively.Conclusion. Based on the faculty members’ view points, the external factors (hygiene factors) compared with the internal factors (motivation factors) had a more important role in job motivation which does not conform with the Herzberg’s view. Salary and job security were the most important motivation factors.

Introduction. Needs assessment data provide a basis for developing learning objectives of CME activities. Identifying the viewpoints of Iranian CME experts about the characteristics of an effective needs assessment (NA) model for physicians’, dentists’ and pharmacists’ CME programs was the aim of this study. Methods. In a descriptive study all CME directors and experts (50 persons) were surveyed using a questionnaire composed of 6 multiple choice questions about some key components of CME needs assessment including the best definition for need, the source of data collection, the required level, and the procedure and criteria for prioritizing the needs. The face and content validity of the questionnaire were evaluated by some CME experts and Cronbach’s alpha was used for reliability assessment. The data was analyzed by SPSS software using frequency distribution and Chi2.Results. A total of 35 CME directors and experts (70%) responded to the survey. Based on their points of view: The best definition for need was “the distance between the present and optimum situation”(68.6%), the best source for needs assessment was “professional tasks” (34.3%), the most proper level for planning needs assessment was “national level” (34.3%) , the best method for performing needs assessment was “running needs assessment as a part of strategic planning” (45.8%) and “perceived needs of the clients” (48.6%), selection of needs assessment model according to “the level of needs assessment (37.1%)”, and the best criterion for prioritizing the needs was “the relevance with the professional tasks” ( 51.4%).Conclusion. Despite numerous literatures about needs assessment, there is no unique model as the best appropriate one for all CME needs assessment programs. But, careful selection of needs assessment model for each situation, designing the content of continuing education programs based on previous needs assessments, identifying what is supposed to be assessed, and its position in planning and designing the topics of continuing education are the key points in planning needs assessment for continuing education.

Introduction. Learning and study strategies improve academic success through facilitating learning. Identifying the students’ learning and study strategies is essential for educational interventions. This research was conducted to determine students’ learning and study strategies and their relationship with their personal characteristics and academic background in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in 1999 and also, to compare these strategies with American students’ norms.Methods. In this descriptive analytical study 412 first to third year students from schools of medicine, dentistry and pharmacy were selected by a stratified random sampling. The Learning and Study Strategy Inventory (LASSI) prepared by Weinstein et al, which consists of 10 subscales was completed by the subjects. The profile of students’ learning and study strategies was compared with American students’ norms. Data was analyzed using Mann-whitney and Kruskal Wallis tests.Results. The median of students’ scores in test strategies, attitude, and anxiety control were 33, 32 and 31 out of 40, respectively which showed the most scores. The least score belonged to selecting main idea which was equal to 19. The median score for different areas of learning and study strategies had no significant difference according to discipline and study levels. Students’ mean score in test strategies, concentration and motivation was equal to 80th, 75th and 15th percentile of American students' norms, respectively. Conclusion. Students had good performances on test-strategies, anxiety control and concentration, but showed poor levels of motivation. The use of Weinstein learning and study strategies questionnaire in identifying students’ weaknesses and strengths in learning and studying is recommended.

Introduction. Taking care of patients is a team work and in each team work the members’ performance has a direct impact on their relationship and efforts in achieving their common goal. It is necessary that medical interns as a member of health care team pay attention to the health care services provided by nurses. The purpose of this study was to determine the viewpoints of interns about nurses’ capabilities and behavior with patients and interns in teaching hospitals of Isfahan Medical University. Methods. In this descriptive study, 157 interns working in educational hospitals affiliated to Isfahan Medical University were selected by stratified random sampling method. The data collection tool was a Likert type valid and reliable questionnaire consisted of 25 questions about nurses’ performance towards patients and interns, and interns’ performance towards patients. The mean, standard deviation, t-test and spearman were used for data analysis by SPSS software.Results. The mean score of interns’ view about nurses’ performance was 3.06 out of 5. This score was 2.99 for professional skills of nurses, 3.12 regarding the nurses’ behavior towards patients and 3.14 for the nurses’ behavior towards interns. The score earned from interns’ viewpoint about their own performance towards patients was 3.32. The mean number of improper contacts between interns and nurses reported by interns in previous 5 days was 0.3. Conclusion. The overall score of interns’ view towards nurses’ performance was at an intermediate level which could be because of different reasons such as their undefined responsibilities towards nurses and patients. It is obvious that this defect could have a negative impact on patient management and team work. Therefore it is necessary to consider “the way of communicating with nurses” in the learning objectives and educational content of interns.

Introduction. Transition from the student’s role to the professional role, as an important stage in the nursing career, is of considerable importance. Lack of readiness in new graduate nurses for transition to their professional roles and joining the clinical setting brings about unfavorable physical and psychological reactions that act as a barrier for adaptation to their new position. This study has been conducted to make an understanding of the new graduate nurses’ experiences about their own readiness to start their new roles as a professional nurse. Methods. This was a qualitative, phenomenological research, carried out with the participation of 9 new graduate nurses. Data collection was done through in-depth unstructured interview; Dieklemann method was used for data analysis.Results. Four themes emerged during data analysis: professional competency, self-esteem, colleagues’ expectation and emotional distress.Conclusion. The findings of this study, which were the lived experiences of the participants, indicated that most of them had experienced some degrees of lack of readiness for entering the new settings. It is suggested to revise the nursing curriculum and provide appropriate educational programs to help graduate nurses in getting ready for their new roles.

Introduction. One of the most important procedures in making removable prosthodontics, is impression making. This study tried to assess the knowledge of dentists in Isfahan city about different impression techniques for making removable prosthodontics. Methods. This was a survey study carried out among 100 Isfahanian dentists who were selected by convenience sampling method in the year 2003. The data collection tool was a questionnaire including 15 questions about partial and 20 question about complete denture. The data was analyzed by t-test, Spearman Correlation and ANOVA tests using SPSS software.Results. Mean and standard deviation of dentists’ knowledge were 14.9±5.1 out of 35 and it’s range was 4 to 29. The mean score of dentists’ knowledge about complete and partial denture were 8.6±3.5 and 6.2±2.3 out of 15, respectively. There was no significant relationship between dentists’ knowledge and history of participating in continuous education programs. Moreover, no significant relationship was observed between knowledge and gender of the dentists. But, there was a significant counter-relationship between knowledge and the time passed from their graduation.Conclusion. It seems that dentists’ knowledge about different impression techniques for removable prosthodontics is not optimal. Also, the more years passes from their graduation, the less is their score of knowledge. In order to improve dentists’ knowledge, it is recommended to provide them with proper education during their study, effective continuous education programs, distance learning, and also to motivate and encourage them for studying the correct and scientific techniques.

Introduction. It is over a decade since the last revision in the curriculum of master of anatomy. The recent scientific and technologic progresses as well as the present weaknesses in the curriculum of anatomy push us to a new revision in this curriculum. This study was designed to determine the educational needs and practical skills of Masters Degree (MS) graduates of anatomy regarding their professional needs. Methods. In this descriptive study, the viewpoints of expert faculty members in the country, about educational needs of MS of anatomy was asked by a questionnaire. In total, 53 questionnaires were returned. Moreover, the managers of the institutions who could employ MS anatomy graduates were interviewed. Finally the data was analyzed, and while the graduates professional tasks were ranked, their educational needs were determined also.Results. Comparing the present curriculum with graduates educational needs and also with educational programs in other countries revealed some headings to be added to the current curriculum including: "research methodology and biostatistics", "advanced microanatomical methods" (as an independent subject), "teaching methodology", "laboratory rotations", "cell biology", "how to fix and dissect a cadaver", "English for special purposes", "computer", "model making", "comparative anatomy", "clinical anatomy", and "practical pathology". Conclusion. In order to improve the curriculum leading to MS in anatomy, in addition to adding some new subjects and headings, more emphases on practical skills and increasing the credits of thesis is needed.

Medical Informatics is a developing body of knowledge concerned with the use of information and communication technology in support of medical research, education and also for promoting health care delivery. The field focuses on the biomedical information, patient data, and also acquisition, storage, retrieval and optimal use of information for solving problem and decision making. The goal of medical informatics is to help health care workers improve their way of working and the outcome of their performances. There is a variety of classification types for the different applications of medical informatics among which Telemedicine, Electronic Medical Records, Information Retrieval and Decision Support Systems are the most important. Different applications of medical informatics can contribute to better outcomes in patient care and decrease the costs of health care services through error reduction, providing patients with their needed information and supporting physicians with updated information and related knowledge.

During recent years there have been many discussions about the meaning of accreditation and the steps for establishing an accreditation system in our country. It is worth to mention that in the third national economic, social and cultural development plan, the process of accreditation of medical education programs and its reinforcement has been mentioned. Simply, accreditation can be defined as granting of approval to an institution, which according to the judgment of experts in the field of study has met the predetermined requirements. In medicine, accreditation of educational programs signifies that national standards for structure, function and efficacy are met by a medical education institution’s program leading to the MD degree (undergraduate medical education) or one of the recognized medical specialties (postgraduate training). Similar to the other parts of the world in the second half of the twentieth century, the situation of medical education in our country faced a rapid and imbalanced growth in medical education (especially for general medicine) during the last twenty years. Therefore recognition and applying the methods, useful in quality improvement of medical education, is of utmost importance. In this regard, establishment of accreditation system will be very effective, and in the third national development plan a lot of attention has been paid to the issue of establishing and upgrading the evaluation and accreditation systems of educational institutions and programs. In this article, we will overview the basics of accreditation, steps to establish an accreditation system, the process of review and accreditation of programs and a brief description of well-known accreditation systems in different parts of the world.

Introduction. One of the most important duties of the heads of departments is effective leadership. In theory and practice, the effectiveness of educational leaders could cause the improvement of education and provide a proper ground for personal development of faculty members. This study was conducted to determine the leadership style of the heads of the departments in Hamadan Medical University. Methods. In a descriptive cross-sectional study all the heads of departments (42 persons) were selected through census sampling method and investigated using a valid and reliable questionnaire. The questionnaire composed of 2 parts, the first part asked about demographic characteristics, and the second part measured the leadership style of the heads. The data was analyzed by SPSS software using frequency distribution of the data and Pearson correlation coefficient.Results. In total, most of the heads (37.4%) used directive leadership style. A significant relationship was found between effective leadership style and the age of the departments’ heads (r=.34).Conclusion. It is necessary that appropriate changes take place in the organizational structure and communication, so that the heads of the departments use supportive effective leadership style more and have a dynamic management system.

Introduction. Community-Oriented Medical Education (COME), compared to traditional education in hospitals is considered a new educational approach in the school of medicine. This study was designed to determine the quality of education during the Clerkship and internship in community medicine course in Shahrekord Medical University. Methods. In a descriptive cross-sectional study, 41 clerkship students and 14 interns selected by convenience sampling method were studied. The data was collected by a valid and reliable questionnaire and analyzed by descriptive statistics using SPSS software.Results. Eighty percent of Clerkship students and less than 50% of interns were satisfied with the course plan, the content of the workshop, the presence of faculty members and answering Students’ questions. In addition, more than 80% of Clerkship students and less than 42% of interns revealed their satisfaction from teaching health management such as collecting data, data analysis, prioritizing the problems, and planning and evaluation. Teaching specific programs such as vaccination, family planning and so on was supported by more than 85% of clerkship students, and almost 97.5% of them were satisfied with teaching situational analysis of health care system. Conclusion. Considering community oriented education approach in medical schools of the world and spending one month community medicine as an obligatory course in all medical schools of Iran, the revision of community medicine course seems necessary.