Comparison the Students’ Ability in Answering to Patient-Management Problem and Modified Essay Question Examination with Multiple-Choice Question Examination and its Association with Educational Promotion

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 multiple-choice question (MCQ) examination and its association with educational promotion. Methods: This research carried out in two sections descriptive-analytic and qualitative on 76 nutrition students of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran, who were selected by census. The first and second examinations were PMP-MEQ 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 PMP-MEQ, PMP and MEQ exams and MCQ exam. The second section was designed with the aim of comparing the overview of students in regard to PMP-MEQ 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 < 0.001); 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 < 0.001); however, scores of PMP-MEQ 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. Keywords Patient management problem (PMP) Modified essay question (MEQ) Multiple-choice question (MCQ) Educational promotion Clinical competenc

A Study of Learning Approaches and their Relationship with Demographic Characteristics of Postgraduate Students of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran, in 2014

Background & Objective: An important individual difference among students is their learning approaches. Learning approaches are styles through which the learner selects information and integrates them. Identifying students’ learning approaches and educational planning result in the attainment of educational achievements by students. The aim of this study was to evaluate learning approaches and determine their relationship with demographic characteristics of postgraduate students of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Methods: This was a descriptive, analytical, correlational study on 400 postgraduate students selected through random sampling. The data collection tool consisted of a questionnaire with two sections of demographic characteristics and learning approaches. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency, mean, and standard deviation) and ANOVA and chi-square tests in SPSS software. Results: The frequencies of deep, surface, and surface-deep approaches among the students were 70.5%, 23.5%, and 6.0%. Moreover, among demographic characteristic, the students’ occupation had a significant relationship with their approaches to learning (P = 0.032). There was no relationship between learning approaches and other demographic characteristics of students. Conclusion: This study showed that the majority of postgraduate students in Kerman University of Medical Sciences preferred the deep learning approach. This learning approach had a significant relationship with their occupation. It frequency was higher in unemployed people. These findings are useful for the university and professors. Key Words: Learning approaches, Demographic characteristics, Graduate student

Evaluation of Medical University Deputies’ and Managers’ Perspectives on the Outcomes of Institutional Accreditation of Medical Universities from 2018-2019

Background: Accreditation is one of the most important ways of guaranteeing the quality of medical education. Objectives: he aim of this study was to determine medical university deputies’ and managers’ perspectives on the outcomes of institutional accreditation in Iran. Methods: his was a descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study conducted as a census to assess the views of the deputies and managers of 65 medical universities in Iran on the outcomes of institutional accreditation. he research tool was a questionnaire consisting of items about institutional accreditation standards in various fields, which was provided to deputies and managers via email or in person. After data collection, data analysis was performed using SPSS software version 22. Results: he results showed that from the perspectives of medical university deputies and managers, the outcomes of institutional accreditation were satisfactory in the dimensions of mission, management and goals, resources and facilities, faculty members, and student and cultural activities. Also, the outcomes were reported relatively satisfactory in research and staff training dimensions. he dimensions of staff training and resources and facilities had the lowest (60.34 ±17.22), and highest (73.83 ±15.12) mean scores, respectively. Conclusion: Deputies and managers believed that institutional accreditation had satisfactory impacts on some areas according to the available resources and facilities. Since these areas have a close relationship, the desirability of each area also boosts other dimensions, which ultimately upgrades university credit and qualification. Keywords: Accreditation, Institutional Accreditation, Outcome, University of Medical Science

Studying Prevalence and Pattern of Taking Narcotic and Ecstasy Drugs by Patients Admitted to Special Care Centers of Shahid Bahonar Hospital, Kerman, Iran

Background: Addiction is the repeated use of a chemical substance which affects the biological function of the brain and endangers physical health of the addicted person. Prevalence and pattern of taking drugs were assessed in the current study in a Special Cares Trauma Center. So the specialized physician could manage the medical procedure more easily through identification of addicted patients and type of their narcotics. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 545 patients admitted to the Special Cares Center of Shahid Bahonar Hospital, Kerman, Iran, during 2010-2012. The data were collected by special information collection forms and then analyzed using SPSS software. Findings: Among the total studied samples, around 55% of admitted patients were addicts. Opium was the most frequently used narcotic among the addicted patients with a percentage of 62%. Smoking was the most common method of taking the narcotics. 90% of addicted persons were male and 95% of them held diploma and under-diploma educational degrees. Among the reasons for admission of addicted patients to the Special Cares Clinic of Trauma Center, head trauma was the dominant cause (51%). Conclusion: Addiction is considerably more prevalent among the population admitted to the Special Cares Center compared to the society, indicating greater vulnerability of addicted individuals in the society. Addiction to traditional and indigenous drugs are still the most prevalent, and fortunately, these drugs are easier to substitute and medicate compared to the new industrial narcotics.   Keywords: Addiction, ICU, Trauma cente

Situation Analysis of Social Accountability Medical Education in University of Medical Sciences and Innovative Point of View of Clinical Faculty Members towards its Promotion Using Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) Analysis Model

Background & Objective: Social accountability medical education in all fields considers health problems priorities in specified countries. Health provision (social accountability) encounters many challenges in its delivery due to more reasons and faculty innovations seem essential in promotion of education. This study was designed in order to investigate social accountability medical education and innovations of clinical faculty members. Methods: In a cross-sectional and triangulation study, point of view of 72 clinical faculty members in Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran, about social accountability medical education and their innovations was investigated by two separated questionnaires. Results: Situation analysis of social accountability medical education in Kerman University of Medical Sciences showed that this form of education is in weakness-threatened status. The score of strengths was significantly difference among men and women, and score of weakness was significantly difference among different educational groups and academic degrees (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between situation analysis of social accountability medical education, innovation and other demographic and educational variables. Conclusion: Status of social accountability medical education (weakness-threatened) is not appropriate in Kerman University of Medical Sciences; in order to its promotion, there must be an appropriate mechanism. In addition, potentials of faculty members must be considered about innovation for social accountability medical education. Keywords Accountability education Innovation Clinicians Situation analysi

Design, Implementation, and Evaluation of a Medical Education Fellowship Program for the Faculty Members of Kerman University of Medical Sciences Based on the Kirkpatrick Model

Background: Attempts to increase the development of faculty members can improve their ability to assume different roles. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to design, implementation, and evaluation a medical education fellowship program for the faculty members of Kerman University of Medical Sciences and to propose practical recommendations for the future design of development programs. Methods: In this semi-experimental study, a total of 53 faculty members of Kerman University of Medical Sciences participated in a one-year development program, which was designed by the Education Development Center and included the main disciplines of medical education. The program was evaluated in several steps, using the Kirkpatrick model. Results: In the first level of Kirkpatrick model, the majority of the participants were satisfied with the general quality of the fellowship program. Based on the findings, the program led to an increase in the knowledge of faculty members and promoted a more positive attitude towards education and these programs. The findings related to the second level of Kirkpatrick model showed a significant difference between the pretest and posttest results (P < 0.05). In addition, analysis of the effects of the program on the participants’ behaviors and practical learning indicated positive changes. Conclusions: The medical education fellowship program led to positive changes in the participants’ attitudes towards education and faculty development programs and increased their knowledge about educational principles and strategies and achieving of training skills. It can be concluded that the medical education fellowship program could achieve many of its preset goals. Keywords Faculty Development Programs Medical Education Faculty Member

Strategies in Development of Iranian Medical Sciences Universities for Dynamic Presence in the International Arena

Background & Objective: In compatibility with the progress of universities and expansion of knowledge and science around the world, Iran has also had significant academic progress in recent years. However, the vision of Iran for the following decades is very ambitious. Much has to be achieved to reach the highest position in the region in development, economy, science, and technology. This qualitative study was designed to explore the strengths and weaknesses of universities. Methods: This qualitative study had three phases. In the first phase, we explored the topic in brain storming sessions. Then, the themes raised in phase one were discussed deeply in unstructured interviews with selective experts around the country. In the last phase, we asked 30 selective academic staff from different medical sciences universities to categorize the issues based on their importance and their solutions using Delphi method. Results: Our findings showed that improvement of international affairs were frequently stressed by our respondents. In this domain, the English skills of academic staff and students, big revision in rules and regulations, and encouraging the establishment of close scientific communication with academic organizations around the world were highlighted. In addition, most respondents believed that problems were understandable, but our main conflicts were in finding applicable solutions and implementing decisions. Conclusion: Our results showed that for a better presentation of Iranian universities in the international environment a new approach to long term reform programs is necessary. In this plan, special attention must be paid to the educational and research infrastructures. Keywords University ranking University of Medical Sciences Development strategies International arena Critical thinking Skills Medical student

Comparison of Analytic Indices of In-Person vs. Online Exams in an Iranian Medical University in the Academic Year 2020

Currently, many medical universities in Iran use e-learning programs to educate and evaluate students. This teaching and assessment method is highly significant during the coronavirus epidemic. Objectives: The present study was conducted to compare the analytic indices of in-person vs. online exams at the Kerman University of Medical Sciences, (KMUS) Iran. Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in 2020. The study samples included all exams given at the KMUS and midterm exam scores obtained from inperson and online courses in the first and second semesters in the academic year 2019-2020. T he exams were selected based on courses, and the same courses were offered both in-person and online; thus, only one group was studied. Course exam indicators, including difficulty and discriminative index, were examined. Data analyzed using SPSS software version 22. Results: The mean of the difficulty index related to in-person and online exams were (0.62 ± 0.1) and (0.68 ± 0.1), respectively. (P=0.01). The mean of the discriminative index related to in-person (0.30± 0.07) and online (0.33± 0.08) exams had no statistically significant difference (P>0.05). The frequency of easy questions in online exams was significantly higher, (55% vs. 43%) (p = 0.008). The frequency of questions with an appropriate discriminative index was significantly higher for in-person exams compared to online exams (58% vs. 54%) (p = 0.01). Conclusion: The difficulty index was acceptable and appropriate for both in-person and online exams. Both exams had appropriate quality according to the discriminative index Therefore, it seems that e-learning programs and assessments can be a good alternative to in-person teaching in emergencies. Keywords: Online Education, Student Evaluation, Coronavirus, Online Exam, Difficulty Index, Discriminative Inde

Studying Prevalence and Pattern of Taking Narcotic and Ecstasy Drugs by Patients Admitted to Special Care Centers of Shahid Bahonar Hospital, Kerman, Iran

Abstract Background: Addiction is the repeated use of a chemical substance which affects the biological function of the brain and endangers physical health of the addicted person. Prevalence and pattern of taking drugs were assessed in the current study in a Special Cares Trauma Center. So the specialized physician could manage the medical procedure more easily through identification of addicted patients and type of their narcotics. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 545 patients admitted to the Special Cares Center of Shahid Bahonar Hospital, Kerman, Iran, during 2010-2012. The data were collected by special information collection forms and then analyzed using SPSS software. Findings: Among the total studied samples, around 55% of admitted patients were addicts. Opium was the most frequently used narcotic among the addicted patients with a percentage of 62%. Smoking was the most common method of taking the narcotics. 90% of addicted persons were male and 95% of them held diploma and under-diploma educational degrees. Among the reasons for admission of addicted patients to the Special Cares Clinic of Trauma Center, head trauma was the dominant cause (51%). Conclusion: Addiction is considerably more prevalent among the population admitted to the Special Cares Center compared to the society, indicating greater vulnerability of addicted individuals in the society. Addiction to traditional and indigenous drugs are still the most prevalent, and fortunately, these drugs are easier to substitute and medicate compared to the new industrial narcotics