Iranian Journal of Medical Education
Year:2011 | Volume:11 | Issue:2 (31)|Papers Count:20

Introduction: Low academic achievement and educational failure are yet considered as the most usual reason for students' drop out. Performing supportive interventions seem essential for these students. This study has tried to determine the effect of a supportive counseling program on nursing students' academic achievement in Iran University of Medical Sciences.Methods: Forty two BS nursing students with low academic achievement were selected with simple random sampling in this quasi-experimental study in 2007. Intervention included a supportive counseling program which was conducted for one semester in from of individual and group counseling sessions. The data were collected by researcher made forms inquiring students' demographic data and scores record to check their academic status. The data were analyzed by statistical tests of X2, independent T-test and Man Whitney Test through SPSS software.Result: The findings showed that mean score increments of subjects in experimental group were more than the control, but the difference was not statistically significant. Mean scores difference in experimental group among boys was significantly more than those of girls.Conclusion: Although the effect of supportive counseling programs on nursing students' academic achievement was not proved in this study, reinforcement of teachers' supportive and conductive role and facilities for supportive interventions for these students and promotion of better dormitory life is recommended.

Introduction: Survey on faculty attitudes towards student ratings can reveal the strengths and weaknesses of faculty evaluation and be considered as an effective measure leading to higher quality. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of faculty evaluation scores by students on the faculty attitudes towards student ratings in Ahwaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences (AJUMS).Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in Ahwaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences.The population under study was all non-clinical faculty members and all students. The data was gathered using two instruments: the attitudes towards student ratings of instruction questionnaire and the student ratings of instruction questionnaire. Data was analyzed by SPSS-15 software, t-student and Spearman correlation test.Results: There was a significant difference between the mean scores of low-rated and high-rated faculty attitudes towards student ratings (2.98±0.45vs.3.45±0.38, p<0.001). The ranges of the attitude scores of the low and high-rated faculties were 2.42-3.79 and 2.23-4.55, respectively.Conclusion: The results indicate that there is a statistically significant difference in attitudes of faculty towards this form of evaluation between the low and high rated faculty. It is obvious that the faculty with high rating scores have more positive attitudes toward student ratings.

Introduction: Regarding the importance of nutrition improvement in teenage girls, the purpose of this study is to determine effect of educational program on knowledge and nutritional behavior among second grade middle school female students in Isfahan.Methods: This is a quasi-experimental study, the research population being 72 students that were randomly divided into two groups, experimental and control. The instruments for data collection were a nutritional knowledge questionnaire, and 24 hour foods recall. Educational intervention was performed for experiment group as lecture and question and answers in 3 sessions (2 for students and 1 for their mothers). Data were collected twice (before and one month after intervent on) and analyzed by independent samples and paired t-tests using SPSS software.Results: Mean scores of nutritional knowledge in experimental and control groups were changed respectively to 78.59 ± 17.50 and 50.70 ±17.81, a month after intervention. Also, nutritional behavior in experimental group was improved, before intervention 83.3% of students had inappropriate nutritional behavior, but one month after that, it decreased to 36.1%. In control group this rate (88.9%) did not show any change.Conclusion: To improve the low level of knowledge and nutritional behavior in girls, the use of educational programs in puberty is necessary.

Introduction: Historically, education is the prominent part of medical systems of different cultures. It has been surveyed in some cultures. In this study, we tried to uncover educational practices applied and present a sketch of medical education in ancient Persia (from beginning to 637 AD) based on the available evidence.Methods: In this study, old Persian scripts and other written documents like Avesta, Dinkerd, histories of Herodotus and Cyropedia and also recent literature were studied to come up with a sketch of medical education in ancient Persia.Results: The pattern of medical education in ancient Persia was presented based on (a) handwriting- a principle for education, (b) public education in ancient Persia, (c) schools of medicine in Persia, (d) organizations and medical centers, and (e) medical fields.Conclusion: The importance of knowledge and education among ancient Persians can be observed even in their early childhood education. This attention to education, and especially to medical education, has been an important key feature of Persian culture and its dynamic civilization.

Introduction: Pursuing the purpose of promoting students’ potentials for learning practical skills, medical universities have tried to create a suitable environment in clinical skills centers for the practice of medicine in a simulated environment to prevent possible mistakes in real-life situations.This study aims to determine the effect of basic gynecological clinical skills on students’ performance in Guilan University of Medical Sciences.Methods: This quasi-experimental study with a single before-and-after-training group conducted in April 2009 in the Clinical Skills Center of Guilan University of Medical Sciences. Through census sampling 25 clerckship students taking the basic gynecological clinical skills course were studied.Data collection was done through 8 researcher-built checklists. Their validity and reliability were confirmed.Descriptive (mean and standard deviation) and inferential (paired t-test) statistics were applied for data analysis using SPSS.Results: There was a significant difference between the students’ performance on basic gynecological clinical skills before and after training, the mean of the students’ total scores on all eight skills showed a significant increase after the training course. The highest mean scores before the training belonged to pop smear sampling skill (7.12w±2.42) and IUD insertion skill (5.8±2.41), while the lowest belonged to the management of third stage of labor skill (1.33±0.57) and bimanual examination skill (1.8±0.18). Skills which showed the highest mean scores after the training were IUD Insertion skill (13.52 ± 1.29) and Pap smear sampling skill (12 ± 1.08).Conclusion: Before the skills training, the students’ mean scores on most procedures were not satisfactory, but after the training course, they increased significantly. Therefore, it is suggested that clinical skills centers and objective assessment methods be used both to meet students’ needs and preserve patients’ rights.

Introduction: In recent years ETS has become a common method of training in many universities around the country but we do not have similar experiences in Medical Universities. The aim of the current study is to investigate the attitude and performance of MUMS faculties towards the implementation of ETS.Method: This descriptive – cross sectional study was carried out in 2009. The study population was faculties of MUMS (360). A stratified and randomize sampling method was used to select 86 faculties. Data gathering tool was a 38- item questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS software.Result: About 65% of the study population was male and 35% female.90.7% of faculties were completely agreed, 4.7% were totally agreed and 4.7% were totally disagreed with using ETS. About 46.5% of faculties were engaged in material preparation for the system, and 34.9% used ETS in their regular teaching courses.The common teaching methods among the faculties were lecture (3.72±1.3) and group discussion (3.47±1.07).Conclusion: Based on the positive attitude and performance of the MUMS faculties towards ETS, it is suggested that measures be taken to prepare the required infrastructure to use this system in teaching university courses.

Introduction: Transfer of training has been defined as the application of new knowledge, skills, and attitudes learned from continuing education programs to the job. Learning transfer can be influenced by many factors that can facilitate or hinder it. A supportive work climate is crucial for successful transfer of learning to job. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nurses' attitude toward supportive work climate affecting transfer of learning to job in two social security hospitals (Alborz of Karaj and Shahriar) in 2009.Methods: This is a descriptive study conducted on 132 nurses from two social security hospitals (Alborz of Karaj and Shahriar), selected through census sampling. The tools used included the sample selection form, demographic data form and Transfer Climate Scale. This scale indicates how nurses perceive their working environment to apply their knowledge and skills learned during the continuing education programs. It consists of 4 sub- scales of peers’ support, supervisors’ support, encouragements and situational constraints.Data were analyzed by SPSS software using descriptive statistics, T-test and ANOVA.Results: This study showed that mean scores of nurses’ attitude toward supportive work climate was 92.15±16.61. Most of the nurses (60.6%) had average attitude toward supportive work climate. The highest mean score was for peer support (40.54±8.42) and the lowest was for situational constraints (11.54±3.35).Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that supportive work climate affects nurses’ ability to apply their knowledge and new skills to their job. Planning to improve supportive work climate seems essential for development of nurses’ quality of care and productivity.

Introduction: Knowing about web-based education outcomes compared to traditional method can help instructors to use more effective methods for future continuing education Programs. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of web-based and traditional teaching methods on nurses' knowledge about Bird Flu.Methods: In this quasi-experimental study with two groups, pretest post-test design, 140 nurses were randomly selected and by blocking random allocation method divided equally into two groups of web-based and face-to-face. In face-to-face group, the intervention consisted of one day program about Bird Flu delivered by lecture. The other group received web-based education. In both groups, samples’ knowledge about bird flue was measured by a questionnaire before and after intervention. Pre –post test scores were compared within and between groups by Independent and paired T-test.Results: Based on the findings, both web-based and face-to-face teaching methods were effective on promotion of nurses’ knowledge (P<0.001), and had the same effect (p=0.221).Conclusion: Web-based teaching seems to be as effective as traditional teaching in continuing education of nurses. With regard to numerous advantages of web-based method, it is recommended to be used in future programs.

Introduction: Success in surveillence programs is mostly dependent on physicians’ skill to report diseases.Self-learning is an appropriate method for medical education programs and has been used in many countries. The purpose of this study was to compare self-learning of reporting diseases through compact disks (CD) and booklets in physicians’ education.Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental study performed on 40 general physicians in Qom. They were divided into two groups [CD (n=20) and booklet (n=20)] by balanced block randomization.Knowledge and attitude were assessed before the intervention and a month after. The data collection tool was a self-administered questionnaire in 4 parts: demographic information, knowledge and attitude about notifiable diseases and evaluation of the educational method applied. The data were analyzed by SPSS software, through calculation of frequency, mean, standared deviation, t-test, kolmogorov -smirnov test and mann-whithney U- test.Results: Knowledge and attitude were promoted significantly in both groups (p<0.05). Mean and standard deviation of knowledge increased, in the CD group, the mean score for knowledge increase was 10.55 ± 3.97 and in the booklet group it was 7.55±4.40, which showed a significant difference (p=0.03). There was no significant difference in attitude scores in the two groups.Regarding the evaluation of the methods, there was no significant difference between the groups in total mean scores. But as for two items, preference for either method and attraction, the CD group score stood significantly higher than the booklet group (p<0.001).Conclusion: Self-learning methods such as CD and booklet can be used for physicians to learn reporting skills; and CD is more effective than booklet. These methods especially educational CD is recommended to be used in continuing medical education programs.

Introduction: Nowadays along with new advances in the methods of diagnosis and treatment, most patients are treated through outpatient services. However in Iran, in spite of numerous cases of outpatient visits, most of medical education is conducted in hospital wards. This study has focused on the viewpoints of medical students of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences about the quality of outpatient clinical education settings in 2007.Method: One hundred fifty interns and stagers were studied in this descriptive – cross- sectional study by a valid and reliable researcher made questionnaire. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistical tests through SPSS.Results: Most of the students evaluated physical conditions of educational ambulatory settings, as average to good. Majority of the obtained viewpoints revealed the shortage of educational facilities and equipments. Educational programs were assessed as average to good in most of the cases, and the teaching methods were assessed as good. Participation of the students in outpatioant education was assessed as good, while the final student assessment in ambulatory education was rated as poor.Conclusion: From the viewpoint of the students, the physical condition of the outpatient clinics and teachers’ performance in ghem has been good but the students reported the method of education in ambulatory settings as poor. It seems crucial to pay special attention to medical education programs in order to improve the learning quality in outpatient settings.

Introduction: Faculty members, being in charge of cultivating students’ life-long learning capabilities, need a valid and reliable tool to assess self-directed learning readiness among them. The aim of this study was to examineassess reliability and construct validity of the Self Directed Learning Readiness Scale (SDLRS).for pre-internship medical and dentistry students.Methods: In a cross-sectional psychometric study, 335 pre-internship medical and dentistry students, studying in Islamic Azad University- Khurasgan and Najaf Abad branches, took the survey in 2008. The subjects completed Fisher’s Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale (SDLRS). The scale has 40 items in 3 subscales. Data were analyzed through using Spearman Brown correlation coefficient and confirmatory factor analysis by LISREL sofware.Results: The resulting SDLRS consisted of 40 items across the following three domains: Self-management, desire to learning, and self-control. The final model in confirmatory factor analysis revealed that 39 items indicated a good fit of model. The value of Cronbach’s Alpha showed that all of 3 factors have high internal consistency coefficients.Conclution: This scale is a valid and reliable instrument in assessing students’ readiness for self directed learning.

Introduction: Identifying the strengths, weaknesses and problems in field training is very important to achieve the educational goals in medical sciences universities. This study aims to assess field Training programs in graduates of Health Services Management in Ahwaz Jondishapour University of Medical Sciences.Methods: In this descriptive study, conducted in the first semester of 2009, the first and second groups of graduates of BSc program on health services management who had passed 16 credits of field training were studied. Data were collected by a researcher made questionnaire. Validity and reliability of the questionnaire were confirmed by content validity and test-retest method respectively. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics (mean, SD and percentage) through SPSS.Result: Efficacy of field training, based on students’ acquaintance with each syllabus topic (according to the national program ratified by Higher Council for Educational Planning in Medical Sciences), was evaluated as being in the “average” level. Students’ mean acquaintance with the content of field trainings I, II, III and IV were 49.8±7.3, 63.6±9.4, 65.7±4.8, and 59.4±5.6 (out of 100), respectively. Efficacy of students’ field training programs was more in the second group compared to the first one.Conclusion: Efficacy of field training program in students of health services management in Jondishapour Medical University in Ahwaz, compared to educational standards, is not appropriate and satisfactory. So, a complete revision and modification of programming and field training is necessary for students to achieve educational goals of this program.

Introduction: Citation analysis has a significant role in research projects. This study aimed at analyzing citations in dissertations of Rafsanjan medical university during three five-year periods.Methods: In this cross- sectional study, 519 dissertations of Rafsanjan medical students presented during years 1372 until 1386 were analyzed through a checklist. Data referring to three five- year periods (1372-76, 1377-81, 1382-86) were analyzed by Chi-square and ANOVA.Results: The comparison of mean scores for the variable (number of references, articles, books, published articles in ISI journals, and electronic references) showed that during the last period citation of the references has significantly grown (P=0.0001). ISI registered articles had been cited twice as much (14.25±21.68), while there was a slight increase in the citation of electronic references (0.32 ± 1.22). Mean score for number of cited references was 28.07±26.65, and 50.1% of the dissertations had observed citation standards. During 1372 to 1376 Harward citation standards had been used more (77.8%).Conclusion: The finding showed the average uses of referencing, citation standards, and Vancouver citation style have increased during the three periods, However, the increase in the use of electronic reference has not been significant.