The effect of cardiac arrhythmias simulation software on the nurses’ learning and professional development

Introduction: One of the important tasks of nurses in intensive care unit is interpretation of ECG. The use of training simulator is a new paradigm in the age of computers. This study was performed to evaluate the impact of cardiac arrhythmias simulator software on nurses’ learning in the subspecialty Vali-Asr Hospital in 2016. Methods: This study was conducted by quasi-experimental randomized Salomon four group design with the participation of 120 nurses in subspecialty Vali-Asr Hospital in Tehran, Iran in 2016 that were selected purposefully and allocated in 4 groups. By this design other confounding factors such as the prior information, maturation and the role of sex and age were controlled by Solomon 4 design. The valid and reliable multiple choice test tools were used to gather information; the validity of the test was approved by experts and its reliability was obtained by Cronbach’s alpha coefficient 0.89. At first, the knowledge and skills of the participants were assessed by a pre-test; following the educational intervention with cardiac arrhythmias simulator software during 14 days in ICUs, the mentioned factors were measured for the two groups again by a post-test in the four groups. Data were analyzed using the two way ANOVA. The significance level was considered as p<0.05. Results: Based on randomized four-group Solomon designs and our test results, using cardiac arrhythmias simulator software as an intervention was effective in the nurses’ learning since a significant difference was found between pre-test and post-test in the first group (p<0.05). Also, other comparisons by ANOVA test showed that there was no interaction between pre-test and intervention in all of the three knowledge areas of cardiac arrhythmias, their treatments and their diagnosis (p>0.05). Conclusion: The use of software-based simulator for cardiac arrhythmias was effective in nurses’ learning in light of its attractive components and interactive method. This intervention increased the knowledge of the nurses in cognitive domain of cardiac arrhythmias in addition to their diagnosis and treatment. Also, the package can be used for training in other areas such as continuing medical education

A comparative study on effectiveness of workshop education versus education via mobile learning (m-learning) in developing medical students’ knowledge and skill about cardiopulmonary resuscitation

INTRODUCTION: A variety of educational approaches are being used today to improve learning in the field of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Therefore, the present study was conducted to compare workshop education with education via mobile learning (M-learning) in terms of their efficacy in developing medical students’ knowledge and skills about cardiopulmonary resuscitation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present study was quasi-experimental performed on 60 interns selected from a university of medical sciences in southwest Iran. Participants were assigned to either the workshop education group (n = 30) or the mobile learning group (n = 30). Before and after the intervention, the knowledge and skills of the participants in terms of basic and advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation were measured by a questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Independent-Samples t-Test, Paired-Samples t-Test, and Chi-Square Test in SPSS software v. 22. RESULTS: Education via mobile learning caused a significant increase in the participants’ knowledge about cardiopulmonary resuscitation (p &lt; 0.05). However, this method did not result in a significant difference in the participants’ skill scores, while the workshop education group showed a significant increase in their cardiopulmonary resuscitation skill scores (p &lt; 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results revealed that education via mobile learning was better in enhancing medical students’ knowledge about cardiopulmonary resuscitation. However, workshop education was more effective in developing practical skills in the field of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Accordingly, educators are recommended to employ a combination of mobile learning and workshop education for achieving better results

Students’ Perception toward Elements of Globalization in Four Interdisciplinary Summer Schools in Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in Iran

Background & Objective: Globalization is one of the most important topics in higher education today, which presents a powerful challenge and an opportunity for medical sciences university and healthcare provider. Nowadays, increasingly faced with healthcare challenges that require an understanding of global health trends and practices, yet little is known about what constitutes appropriate global health training. The main purpose of this research was to review the association between perception of globalization and information mastery and curriculum planning. Methods: This was a descriptive-analytical study on medical students. The study population consisted of 180 medical sciences students who were selected with random sampling methods. In order to measure attitudes of students towards globalization, measures were developed and used by researchers. For the purpose of evaluating of the validity of the measures, construct validity was utilized by factor analysis. In order to determine the reliability of the measures Cronbach's alpha was used, as well. Results: Findings indicated that the total respondents agreed or had positive approach towards globalization. Based on the results of the factor analysis, four factors i.e. personal and social attitude with 15 questions, sociopolitical attitude, and 7 question, two questions for performance and the fourth factor was the resource management concept of globalization which were identified with only one question in the questionnaire. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) results showed that there was no statistically significant association the students' perspective and demographic variables gender, school and age. Conclusion: The positive perception of globalization highlighted the needs of global health educational competencies and approaches used in medical schools and the need to facilitate greater consensus amongst medical educators and students on appropriate global health training for future health care providers. This process led to world integration, density of human awareness and world culture formation Keywords Globalization Medical sciences students Factor analysi

Educational Needs Assessment and Educational Program Planning with the Developing a Curriculum Model in Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran

Background & Objective: One of the most practical and most recognized methods of needs assessment and educational planning is the Developing a Curriculum (DACUM) model. Today, this model is employed, as a creative and effective method, in occupation or profession analysis. Methods: In the present study, during 3 workshops in 2 days and by using DACUM method educational needs assessment and occupation analysis was performed on the educational administrators (assistant dean for educational affairs in schools, heads of departments, and vice-chancellors for educational affairs in educational hospitals) of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Results of this process served as foundational elements to planning training programs for the educational administrators. Results: The workshop resulted in the identification of 6 duties and 51 tasks for vice-chancellors for educational affairs in educational hospitals, 9 duties and 81 tasks for assistant dean for educational affairs in schools, 16 duties and 98 tasks for heads of departments. Moreover, a list of associated knowledge, skills, tools, equipment, supplies, materials used, and desirable worker traits for this occupational category was provided. Then, using results of panels, a questionnaire was designed in order to identify the importance, learning difficulty, and frequency of performance of duties and tasks. In addition, lists of general knowledge, worker behaviors, tools, equipment and supplies, and future trends and concerns were verified by respondents and the DACUM committee. Conclusion: Finally, based on the verified results and review of the literature, a training program, based on goals, context, and method of performance and evaluation, was prepared in order to be used by educational administrators of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Keywords Educational needs assessment Occupation analysis Educational program Educational administrator

Faculty member's experience regarding rehabilitation teamwork education in Iran (A descriptive exploratory qualitative study)

BACKGROUND: The objective of rehabilitation therapists is to increase the functional abilities and quality of life in people with disability. Hence, cooperation becomes a basis for enhanced quality of care. The current study aims to investigate the experience of faculty members at the School of Rehabilitation Sciences, regarding teamwork education for rehabilitation students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a descriptive-exploratory qualitative study. Maximum variation purposive sampling was used, where in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 faculty members working at four departments of the School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, in the year 2015–2016. Each interview was transcribed word-by-word and went under analysis through MAXQDA 10. Finally, after reviewing the transcripts several times, the primary codes, subthemes, and themes were formed. RESULTS: Data analysis resulted in the formation of 469 open codes. Three themes emerged, including the experienced challenges to interprofessional education (IPE), experienced facilitators of team collaboration, and optimization of IPE. The subthemes of the first theme included personal challenges, academic context, and sociocultural atmosphere. The subthemes of second theme-included experience with various forms of interprofessional (IP) collaboration, IPE in certain clinical areas, and scarcity of role models for IPE. The subthemes related to the third theme involved the development of macro policies to facilitate IPE increased interpersonal collaboration and reduced expectation of competition, and management and development of educational capability in professors. CONCLUSIONS: It seems that faculty staffs do not provide the same definition of teamwork education and often do not prioritize it in their clinical teaching. Furthermore, barriers, facilitators and some solutions were discussed by them

Nursing Students’ Experiences of Clinical Education: a Qualitative Study

Objective. To comprehend the experiences of nursing students in clinical education. Methods. A qualitative study using conventional content analysis was conducted. Data were collected using focus group interview with 16 nursing students from two public nursing schools of Shiraz and Fasa, Iran. The participants were selected by purposeful sampling. Data analysis accomplished according to conventional content analysis. Results. From this study five categories were emerged: Theory and practice disruption (The inability to use the lessons learned in practice, Routine-oriented work, The difference between theoretical knowledge and clinical training), Shaky communications (Inappropriate behavior, Inadequate support of nurses, instructors and other caregivers), Inadequate planning (Wasting time for students in clinical training, Inadequate preparation of instructors and students), Perceived tension (Stress, Anxiety and Fear), Personal and professional development (Learning more steadily, Paying attention to the spiritual dimension of care, Increasing interest in the profession, More knowledge, greater Self Confidence). Conclusion. The results of this study showed that nursing students have desirable and undesirable experiences in clinical education in the process of training, which must be addressed with proper planning for reduce the students’ problems in the clinical education of future nurses.Objetivo. Compreender as experiências dos estudantes de enfermagem na educação clínica. Métodos. Se realizou um estudo qualitativo utilizando análise de conteúdo. Os dados foram recolhidos mediante entrevistas nos grupos focais com 16 estudantes de graduação de duas escolas de enfermagem de carácter público das cidades de Shiraz e Fasa (Irão). Os participantes foram selecionados por amostragem intencional. A análise de dados se realizou de acordo com a técnica de análise de conteúdo. Resultados. Deste estudo surgiram cinco categorias: Interrupção entre a teoria e a prática (diferença entre conhecimento teórico e o treinamento clínico, incapacidade para usar o conhecimento teórico na prática, rotinas), Comunicações instáveis (comportamentos inapropriados, apoio deficiente de enfermeiras, instrutores e outros cuidadores), Planificação inadequada (perda de tempo para os estudantes nas práticas clínicas, preparação inadequada de instrutores e estudantes), Tensão percebida (estresse, ansiedade e medo), Desenvolvimento pessoal e profissional (aprendizagem mais constante, atenção à dimensão espiritual do cuidado, aumento do interesse pela profissão, aumento de conhecimento e maior autoconfiança). Conclusão. Os resultados deste estudo mostraram que os estudantes de enfermagem tem experiências desejáveis e indesejáveis na prática clínica durante o processo de formação, os quais devem ser tidos em conta com uma planificação adequada com o fim de reduzir os problemas na educação clínica dos futuros enfermeiros.Objetivo. Comprender las experiencias de los estudiantes de enfermería en la educación clínica. Métodos. Se realizó un estudio cualitativo en el cual se utilizó el análisis de contenido. Los datos se recolectaron mediante entrevistas en grupos focales con 16 estudiantes de pregrado de dos escuelas de enfermería de carácter público de las ciudades de Shiraz y Fasa (Irán). Los participantes se seleccionaron por muestreo intencional. El análisis de datos se realizó de acuerdo con la técnica de análisis de contenido. Resultados. De este estudio surgieron cinco categorías: Interrupción entre la teoría y la práctica (diferencia entre conocimiento teórico y el entrenamiento clínico, incapacidad para usar el conocimiento teórico en la práctica, rutinas), Comunicaciones inestables (comportamientos inapropiados, apoyo deficiente de enfermeras, instructores y otros cuidadores), Planificación inadecuada (pérdida de tiempo para los estudiantes en las prácticas clínicas, preparación inadecuada de instructores y estudiantes), Tensión percibida (estrés, ansiedad y miedo), Desarrollo personal y profesional (aprendizaje más constante, atención a la dimensión espiritual del cuidado, aumento del interés por la profesión, aumento de conocimiento y mayor autoconfianza). Conclusión. Los resultados de este estudio mostraron que los estudiantes de enfermería tienen experiencias deseables e indeseables en la práctica clínica durante el proceso de formación, las cuales deben ser tenidos en cuenta con una planificación adecuada con el fin de reducir los problemas en la educación clínica de los futuros enfermeros. Descriptores: educación en enfermería; grupos focales; investigación cualitativa; estudiantes de enfermería

Assessment of dental students’ communication skills with patients

Introduction: Establishment of effective communication between the clinician and patient is essential in order to increase the effectiveness of treatment. These skills have been less investigated among dental students. This study aimed to evaluate communication skills of dental students in Shiraz with patients through direct observation, patients’ perspectives and students’ self-assessments. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled the fifth and sixth year dental students and one of each student’s patients who was chosen using simple random sampling method. We used a checklist for data collection. Students’ communication skills were assessed at three steps of the student-patient interview – at the beginning of the interview, during the interview, and at the end of the interview. The checklist was completed by three groups: 1) an observer, 2) the patient and 3) the student, as self-assessment. The validity of the checklist was confirmed by clinical professors and the reliability was determined by Cronbach’s alpha test. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Student’s t test. A repeated measure MANOVA was used to compare the mean communication skills in the researcher, patients, and students at each step of the patient interviews. Results: There were 110 students (mean age: 22.3±8.4 years) and 110 patients (mean age: 32±8.8 years) who completed the checklists. Overall, the communication skills of dental students were rated as good according to the patients. However, the observer and student participants rated the skills at the moderate level. We observed significant differences between communication skills in all three groups and in the three steps of the patient interviews (p<0.001). According to patients’ beliefs and students’ self assessments, there were no differences between male and female students in communication skills in the three steps of the patient interviews (all p>0.05). However from the observer’s viewpoint, female students showed better communication skills during the interviews (p=0.001). Conclusion: There was a degree of failure in communication skills of dental students with patients in the interview process. It will be necessary that communication skills be taught, particularly for students involved in clinical practice

Evaluation of Training Program of Health Volunteers and Covered Households of Urban Areas of Mamasani City Using Kirk Patrick Model at 2020

Introduction and purpose: It is necessary to change, modify, and evaluate educational programs over time. Due to the major role of education and the need to use effective and multifaceted evaluation methods, the present study aimed to assess the training courses of health volunteers according to the Kirkpatrick model. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was performed on 102 health volunteers in urban health centers in Mamasani city. The data collection tool was a two-part questionnaire, including demographic characteristics and evaluation of reaction levels, learning, performance, and results of training courses conducted for health volunteers and covered households. The data were analyzed in SPSS (version 25). Results: The level of desirability of the provided education was assessed by calculating the average scores of the desirability of the four levels. In the first level of the Kirkpatrick model, most volunteers and covered families were satisfied with participating in the training courses. At the second level, their knowledge increased significantly (P= 0.01). The average score in the field of behavior and performance of volunteers was 74.41%, and it was 74.44% in covered households. In the field of training results, the average score of health volunteers was 49.99%, and it was 49.96% in covered households, indicating the effective role of training and evaluation effectiveness. Conclusion: The evaluation of the educational program for health volunteers and covered households indicated the positive effect of the training provided to achieve the goals of the program. Due to the applicability of the health volunteer program at all levels of society, the use of a multidimensional model, such as Kirkpatrick, to evaluate this program and other educational programs of the health care system is recommended

A qualitative inquiry into the challenges and complexities of research supervision: viewpoints of postgraduate students and faculty members

Introduction: The supervision of academic theses at the Universities of Medical Sciences is one of the most important issues with several challenges. The aim of the present study is to discover the nature of problems and challenges of thesis supervision in Iranian universities of medical sciences. Methods: The study was conducted with a qualitative method using conventional content analysis approach. Nineteen faculty members, using purposive sampling, and 11 postgraduate medical sciences students (Ph.D students and residents) were selected on the basis of theoretical sampling. The data were gathered through semi-structured interviews and field observations in Shiraz and Isfahan universities of medical sciences from September 2012 to December 2014. The qualitative content analysis was used with a conventional approach to analyze the data. Results: While experiencing the nature of research supervision process, faculties and the students faced some complexities and challenges in the research supervision process. The obtained codes were categorized under 4 themes based on the characteristics; included “Conceptual problem”, “Role ambiguity in thesis supervision”, “Poor reflection in supervision” and “Ethical problems”. Conclusion: The result of this study revealed that there is a need for more attention to planning and defining the supervisory, and research supervision. Also, improvement of the quality of supervisor and students relationship must be considered behind the research context improvement in research supervisory area