Faculty Members' Attitude towards their Skills and Educational Needs in Teaching Practical Courses

Background & Objective : Identifying faculty members' educational needs and level of their skills in teaching affairs would improve planning for faculty members’ development and sublimity. This study was performed to assess attitude of faculty members who are teaching practical courses towards their educational needs and level of skills in teaching methods of practical courses. Methods : In this descriptive study, 83 faculty members teaching practical courses in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences were selected by stratified random sampling and completed a reliable and valid questionnaire consisted of 14 items about educational needs and skill level of teaching methods in practical courses. Results : The mean (±SD) score of faculty members' skill level was 2.71(±0.4) out of four. Faculty members’ skill level was low (mean score less than 2.5) in analysis and interpretation of the test questions (38.9%), evaluation methods of practical skills (53.5%), designing performance tests (52.8%) and making educational films (47.9%). Mean (±SD) total score of educational needs was 3.45(±0.89) out of five. According to these results, faculty members were in need of all 14 aforementioned items. Educational needs included critical thinking, motivating methods and information resources in order of priority. Conclusion : Faculty members expressed need for education and improving their skills in teaching practical courses. Considering mentioned educational needs and skills, it seems that teaching method and student assessment workshops need to be revised and the content of the workshops should be designed according to faculty members’ educational needs together with implementing different educational methods. Keywords: Practical teaching, Faculty members, Teaching methods, Skill, Need assessment

Are Nursing Students’ Thesis Topics in Accordance with Burden of Diseases as Disability Adjusted Life Years in Iran?

Introduction: Research is the basis of nursing and should be in accordance with society’s health needs. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the master theses’ subjects in nursing conform to the burden of diseases as Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). Methods: In this comparative study, 373 researches registered in the lists of school libraries or university web sites as master degree theses in nursing during 2000-2005, were investigated. Then, their subjects were compared with the etiology of burden of diseases as Disability Adjusted Life Years in Eastern Mediterranean Region published in World Health Organization Report in 2003. Results: The proportion of theses’ topics and the etiology of burden of diseases, including intentional and unintentional accidents, sensory disorders, congenital anomalies, gastrointestinal and dental diseases, respiratory diseases , nutritional deficiencies and endocrine disorders was less than optimum. In contrast, the proportion of theses’ topics on cardiovascular, genitourinary, dermatology and musculoskeletal diseases, diabetes mellitus, neoplasms and maternal and antenatal problems was more than the related DALYs. In addition it was optimum for neuropsychological disorders. Conclusion: Most theses’ topics were in accordance with this health index. Considering the high number of theses concerning maternal situation, specially ante-natal problems and also, urogenital tract, it is suggested to avoid this over attention and consider other topics such as accidents and their burden more, in doing research and thesis

Research priorities in medical education: A national study

Abstract BACKGROUND: One preliminary step to strengthen medical education research would be determining the research priorities. The aim of this study was to determine the research priorities of medical education in Iran in 2007-2008

The effects of two non-pharmacologic pain management methods for intramuscular injection pain in children

Purpose: To study the effect of local cold therapy and distraction in pain relief using penicillin intramuscular injection in children. Methods: In this work, 90 children with ages from 5 to 12 who had penicillin injection intramuscularly in a health centre were studied. The samples were chosen randomly and divided into three groups: the first group received local cold therapy, the second group received distraction and the third group (the control group) received routine care. The data were collected through interview and questionnaire. Oucher scale was used to measure pain intensity. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the findings. Results: Average pain intensity in local cold therapy, distraction, and control groups was 26.3, 34.3, and 83.3, respectively. The findings indicate that pain intensity was significantly higher in the control group than the experimental groups. Also, pain intensity among children was inversely proportional to their age. Conclusion: This study supports the efficacy of non-pharmacologic pain management methods in children. Nurses are recommended to use local cold therapy and distraction to decrease pain intensity of penicillin intramuscular injection in 5-12-year-old children. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

The Quality of Books, Questions and Teaching Method of Self-Learning in Continuing Medical Education: The Viewpoints of Self-learning Program\'s Participants in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences

Introduction: Self-learning is an appropriate method for continuing medical education programs and has been used in many countries. In order to evaluate new method of self-learning in CME (Continuing Medical Education) programs, this study was conducted to determine the viewpoints of CME participants about the quality of books, questions, and teaching method of self-learning in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Methods: In a descriptive cross-sectional study, 3712 physicians among the ones participating in CME programs of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 2004-2005, were selected through census sampling. The data collection tool was a questionnaire containing demographic questions and 39 items asking about self-learning method, quality of the books and questions which was distributed along with the book at the time of registration for self-learning. The data was analyzed by SPSS software using frequency distribution, mean, standard deviation, t-test, ANOVA, and linear regression. Results: The mean and standard deviation of the participants' viewpoints toward self-learning teaching method, quality of books, and quality of questions were 3.96±0.39, 3.80±0.35 and 3.74±0.56 out of 5, respectively. The mean scores achieved by older participants were higher significantly. Conclusion: The results demonstrated the good quality of self-learning method, the provided books, and the designed questions. The physicians had a positive attitude toward this method. This teaching method is recommended to be used in other universities

Viewpoints of Supervisors about the Problems in the Process of Dissertations for General Medicine Program Isfahan University of Medical Sciences

Introduction. To improve the quality of dissertations (as a mandatory course) in general medicine (MD) program, it is useful to know the viewpoints of supervisors about different issues and problems in their supervision process, i.e. the objectives of the course, facilitation methods for learning, problems of the practical phase, and their ideas about the course efficacy. This study explores supervisors' views concerning the thesis process and its related problems in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Methods. 106 supervisors from Medical School participated in this cross sectional descriptive study. A self-administered questionnaire, which proved to be valid and reliable was used for data collection. The questionnaires were completed individually in the participants' office or School. SPSS software was used for data analysis. Results were analyzed according to the frequency distribution of variables and compared by t- test and ANOVA. Results. According to the supervisors, the most important problems were allocating appropriate budget, approving the research proposal by the department and school councils, instructing students about literature review and article writing, and not being informed about national research priorities. They considered "learning research methodology" as the main objective of dissertation. Most of them agreed on it as a necessary course for MD program, but believed that students usually faced shortage of time. They claimed that offering thesis as an elective course would improve the quality of the projects. Conclusion. Dissertations in general medicine program are facing some problems. It seems that shortage of time brings about limitations in doing and supervising the projects. It is recommended to revise the approval process of thesis proposals. Moreover, involving students in the preplanned researches, improving the supervisors knowledge in research methodology and statistical analysis, announcing research priorities, and revising the course plan may improve the quality of dissertations

Baccalaureate Nursing Curriculum: Its Adjustment with Burden of Diseases as “Disability Adjusted Life Years” in Iran

Introduction: Nursing education has to be planned considering the community’s health needs based on the most recent criteria introduced by World Health Organization. The purpose of this study was to determine whether nursing curriculum conform to the burden of diseases as Disability Adjusted Life Years in Iran in 2003. Methods: In this comparative study, the etiology of burden of diseases based on Disability Adjusted Life Years was extracted from the World Health Report (2003). Then the number of credit hours in the baccalaureate nursing curriculum assigned to these etiologies was determined and reported as frequency. Results: The proportion of credit hours in nursing curriculum assigned to psychiatric, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal and sensory disorders as well as intentional and non-intentional accidents, nutritional deficiencies, and congenital anomalies was less than the proportion of burden of diseases as Disability Adjusted Life Years related to these diseases. This proportion was more than optimum level concerning infectious diseases, maternal and antenatal problems, endocrine, genitourinary and dermatologic diseases, and at an optimum level for musculoskeletal disorders and malignant neoplasms. Conclusion: A more precise revision of baccalaureate nursing curriculum considering the above mentioned diseases is recommended

Faculty Members’ Viewpoints towards Teacher Evaluation Process in Isfahan University of Medical Science

Introduction: There are limited studies regarding teacher evaluation process. The goal of this study was to determine faculty members’ viewpoints regarding teacher evaluation process and its relationship with their characteristics in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Methods: In a descriptive study, 185 faculty members were selected by stratified random sampling method. The data collection tool was a valid and reliable questionnaire which asked faculty members’ demographic characteristics and their viewpoints about evaluation process using a 5 point Likert scale. The data was analyzed by SPSS software using t-test, ANOVA and Pearson Correlation Coefficient. Results: The mean and standard deviation of the given scores to evaluation process were 2.6±.45 out of the total score 5. The most positive view was about performing the evaluation at least once a year, and the most negative view was about not paying attention to the nature of the courses and also to other activities of faculty members during the evaluation process. Faculty members had a negative view towards the content of evaluation forms and the evaluation process. The viewpoints of faculty members had a significant relationship with the number of course units, work experience, satisfaction from evaluation and fairness of evaluation. Conclusion: Faculty members were not so satisfied from evaluation forms and evaluation process. Preparing valid and reliable tools which includes all educational fields and apply to different levels of students, close supervision on evaluation process and using peer evaluation method are suggested

Job Satisfaction among Faculty Members of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences

Introduction: Identifying the factors leading to job satisfaction could be useful in increasing faculty members' job satisfaction and motivating them to perform their educational and research activities. This study was conducted to determine job satisfaction rate among faculty members of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in the year 2005-2006. Methods: In a descriptive study, 210 faculty members of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences were selected through stratified random sampling. A researcher-made questionnaire including 45 items in the areas of salary and rewards, promotion opportunities, management stَAuts and communications, job security, physical conditions, environment, and nَAutre of the work was completed as self-administered. It was analyzed by SPSS software using frequency distribution, mean, and standard deviation. Results: The mean and standard deviation of faculty members' job satisfaction were 65.09±14.93 out of 100. The mean and standard deviation for the areas under investigation including nَAutre of the work, manage-ment stَAuts and communications, job security, salary and rewards, promotion opportunities, physical condi-tions and working environment were 82.5±13.31, 65.3±17.52, 63.99±21.64, 61.8±20.9, 58.7±20.05, and 58.02±21.49, respectively, out of the total score of 100. Conclusion: Faculty members were well satisfied with their jobs. Their satisfaction about the nَAutre of their work was desirable, and about management stَAuts, job security, and salary and rewards, was partially desirable. They were less satisfied with promotion opportunities and physical conditions of working environ-ment. Taking faculty members welfare into consideration and revising promotion procedures could improve the current situation

Faculty Members\' Skills and Educational Needs Concerning Clinical Teaching Methods in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences

Introduction: Identifying faculty members' skills and their educational needs in teaching is necessary for planning faculty development programs. This study was designed to determine faculty members' educational needs and their skills concerning teaching methods during teaching medical clerkship and internship courses in order to coordinate the content of educational workshop according to their needs. Methods: In a descriptive study, 108 faculty members teaching clerkship and internship courses in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences were selected by random stratified sampling and completed a 16 item questionnaire as self-administered. The questionnaire was about their skills and educational needs in teaching methods of clinical internship and clerkship courses. The data was analyzed by SPSS software using frequency distribution, mean, standard deviation, and linear regression. Results: Faculty members had educational needs in all 16 areas under investigation. They considered their skills at proficiency level in implementation but low level in using evaluation feed-back for improving performance, video recording and making educational films. Their most important priorities for education were information resources and full-text journals, clinical skills evaluation, and using evaluation results for identifying their weaknesses in teaching. The results showed no significant relationship between the subjects' skills and educational needs, and their demographic characteristics. Conclusion: Although faculty members evaluated their skills almost at proficiency level in most areas, they needed more education. It seems that teaching methods and student assessment workshops have to be revised and the content of the workshops should be designed according to the needs of the faculty members. It is also recommended to use different educational methods such as workshops, books and pamphlets, self-learning materials, and educational films to respond to faculty members' educational needs