The perspectives of faculty around factors affecting the development and sustainability of educational scholarship: A qualitative content analysis

Background: New horizons have been opened for educational excellence in medical universities by commencing the role of scholarship for medical teachers in recent years. The low rate of faculty reception towards educational scholarship and their low interest in continuing scholarly activities indicated a need for the current study. Methods: In this qualitative research, a non-probability purposive sample of thirteen participants(n=13) engaged in two focus group discussions (FGDs), consisting of executors, collaborators, consultants, and referees of university or national educational processes in the last ten years. Participants were asked several critical questions concerning factors affecting educational scholarship development and sustainability. Qualitative content analysis with a conventional approach was used to analyze the data obtained from the discussions. Results: Merging the codes extracted from the two FGD sessions and repeated review yielded 101 codes classified into two themes: educational scholarship development and sustainability. In all, 19 categories were identified: personal commitment, educational requirements, financial support, faculty development, team building, information resources, educational leadership and management, institutional motivation, culture building, individual characteristics, outcome evaluation of educational scholarship, material and spiritual support, mentorship, sustained training, supportive learning environments, curriculum development, organizational administration and leadership, application of results, and publication of results. Conclusion: Our findings show that encouraging educational scholarship among faculty members and ensuring the sustainability of innovative educational processes are influenced by factors rooted in both individual and institutional dynamics

A Model for Using Reflection to Enhance Interprofessional Education

Both Reflective Practice and Interprofessional Education (IPE) have gained a considerable attention in the past three decades. Although a plethora of literature exists on either topic, few articles address the issue of using reflective techniques to enhance IPE (King &Ross, 2003; Ross et al, 2005; Goosey & Barr, 2002; Craddock, O'Halloran, Borthwick, & McPherson, 2006) and fewer provide a model to achieve this. The aim of this article is to propose a simple model for employing reflection in the context of healthcare education to enhance the outcomes of shared learning occasions. This model encourages a “reflective dialogue” (Shon, 1987) between two components of self (I and Me) on “self” and on “self and others” from a symbolic interactionism’s view (Blumer, 1996)

The Teaching and Learning of Reflective Practice in Medicine, Nursing, and Physiotherapy : A Grounded Theory Study

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Exploring medical students’ perceptions and understanding of the health impacts of climate change: a qualitative content analysis

Abstract Background Climate change has been identified as the greatest threat to global health in the twenty-first century, with its unfavorable health consequences being among its impacts on humans. Exploring the perspectives and understanding of healthcare professionals and service providers concerning climate change becomes imperative. The aim of this study is to investigate the perceptions and understanding of final-year medical students regarding the health impacts of climate change on individuals and the healthcare system using a qualitative content analysis. Methods This study employed a qualitative content analysis approach. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with the aid of an interview guide to explore the students' awareness, understanding, and attitudes towards the impacts of climate change on public health and the healthcare system. The collected interview data were subsequently organized into codes, categories, and subcategories based on the students' perspectives and attitudes towards climate change. Results Fifteen medical intern students were interviewed for this study, and the qualitative findings were categorized into 3 categories, 23 subcategories, and 229 codes. The study's findings revealed various health impacts of climate change, which were classified into three main categories, including environmental effects with 8 subcategories, socio-economic effects with 8 subcategories, and health effects with 7 subcategories. The study's findings revealed medical students' perceptions of various health impacts of climate change and These findings suggest that medical student understand that climate change has significant impacts on individuals' health and society, mainly through environmental degradation, increased risks, and climate-related disasters, which ultimately lead to adverse health outcomes. Conclusions The perspectives of medical students in this study indicate that climate change may not have a direct and immediate impact on the health of individuals and communities. However, it can significantly influence their health and socio-economic well-being by exacerbating or causing environmental problems, increasing the risk of weather-related events and natural disasters, ultimately leading to adverse health outcomes. While the medical students' perspectives on the health impacts of climate change are indeed broad, incorporating scientific knowledge about this topic into the medical curriculum and educating students on how to deal with patients affected by these consequences can have a significant impact on health management. This proactive approach, despite the students' already comprehensive understanding, can enhance their preparedness to address the health effects of climate change and contribute to strengthening the healthcare system's resilience in the face of climate-related challenges

Reasons for Faculty members’ Lack of Interest in Doing Research in the Field of Education from Their Own Perspective in Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences

Introduction: Evaluation of research barriers in any scientific field is of great significance and can reveal the field’s deficiencies and weaknesses. The aim of this study was to assess the reasons for faculty members’ lack of interest in doing research in the field of education from their own perspective in Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on all faculty members of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences in 2012. The participants were selected through the census method(165). Data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire through which faculty members declared their opinions about educational research problems based on a four-point Likert scale from completely disagree to completely agree (1 to 4). The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistical tests, and Chi-square test. Results: Out of 165 distributed questionnaires, 137 were completed (83% response rate). The most frequent problem declared by faculty members was the tendency to do research in their own fields. Associate professors complained more than assistant professors and instructors about being busy and having no time for educational research (p=0.017). Also Clinical faculty members complained more than non-clinical faculty members about being busy and having no time for educational research (p=0.009). Conclusion: Results showed a necessity in Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences to make arrangements for planning and running workshops of research in education, and to consider special benefits for faculty members in order to carry out research in the field of education

Quality of Morning Reports and its Related Factors at Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences in the Academic Year 2014-2015

Background and Objective: Morning report is a common and valuable method (Gold Standard) in clinical education. It has some characteristics and standards that, when properly applied, will play an effective role in students’ clinical learning. Materials and Methods: A total of 196 apprentices, interns and residents participated in this descriptive-analytical study. The data were gathered by a researcher-made questionnaire which its validity and reliability were confirmed by experts’ views and Cronbach’s alpha, respectively. Data analysis was performed by SPSS (version 20) using descriptive and inferential statistics.P≤0.05 was considered significant. Results: The majority of participants believed the order of meetings, duration of meetings, and venues were at an average level. They also rated the seating of the teachers in the meeting and the type of diseases introduced to be at a good level. Presence of experts from other disciplines was found to be at the poorest level. 88% of students reported the overall usefulness of the morning reports to be average, and only 2% believed the morning reports’ usefulness to be appropriate, while 10 % evaluated the usefulness range as inappropriate for them. The maximum level of satisfaction was reported for infectious diseases morning report sessions. Conclusion: In general, the quality of morning reports from the perspective of the students was average. Considering the importance of morning reports in medical education, more attention is recommended to be paid to promotion of its quality

Perspectives of Residents of Mashhad School of Dentistry about the Curriculum of Residency Program

Introduction: This study was carried out to analyze the viewpoint of the residents of school of dentistry about the curriculum presented in the residency program to students of Mashhad School of Dentistry. Methods: To evaluate the perspectives of residents of dental school about the curriculum and regulations of residency program, a questionnaire was designed whose validity and reliability were confirmed by the authorities of School of Dentistry and test-retest reliability, respectively. The questionnaire was distributed among 100 residents and 80 of them completed the questionnaires. The data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 11.5). Results: A total of 43% of residents were informed of the curriculum (e.g. academic leave, transfer, removal of semester, etc.). As for the ability to write research proposal, 42.7% of residents were reported to have a favorable status, i.e. they were able to write more than 80% of their proposal. From among the residents, 30.4% had specialized English language certificate. Most of them (77%) were satisfied with the professional staff, faculty members, of the faculty. Many students liked to participate in the teaching method courses of the residency program. Conclusion: Residents maintained that the curriculum in such domains as educational and research issues and special capabilities had some weak points. Thus, appropriate strategies are recommended to be applied to revise the curriculum using the residents’ views on these programs

Factors Affecting Student Concentration in Classroom Among the Students in Kurdistan University of Medical Science

Introduction: Focus is one of the most important educational and learning requirements so that distraction in the class is a common educational problem. The study endeavored to determine the factors affecting student concentration in the classroom among the students in Kurdistan University of Medical Science in the academic year 2021. Methods: The descriptive cross-sectional study conducted on 413 students of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences who were selected through convenience sampling method. The research instrument was a standard questionnaire about factors influencing concentration in the classroom. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics. Results: The mean score of the factors related to the teacher, students, and environment were 3.35 ± 0.42, 2.99 ± 0.48, and 3.31 ± 0.55 respectively. The most influential factor for concentration in the classroom was the teacher's appropriate behavior with students (3.68 ± 0.60) and the least influential factor for concentration in the classroom was relying on the notetaking group (2.48 ± 1.06). Conclusion: Findings revealed that teacher's behavior has an important role in creating student concentration in the classroom. Therefore, teachers can make the most important contribution in promoting education by improving their behavior

Elaborating on the opinion of medical and nursing students of the Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences: Challenges and opportunities of virtual learning in focus

Introduction: Universities have also used online courses as a tool to establish lifelong learning among students. Lifelong learning has become part of the way of life due to the dynamic nature of modern society. The community's demand for lifelong learning will be supported by the growth of online learning courses. Universities can reduce the cost of education providers by developing distance learning and e-learning programs. Methods: This qualitative study is the conventional content analysis. Medical and nursing students formed the population. Sampling was purposeful and with maximum variability. Data were collected using semi-structured individual interviews. The interview begins with general questions, and deeper questions were gradually posed in line with the research objectives. Results: After conducting interviews, 324 initial codes were retrieved. The themes and sub-themes are as follows:1) Perceived benefits (strengths and advantages of e-learning, and opportunities of virtual learning program), 2) Perceived weaknesses, (problems and shortcomings of the program in various dimensions, and fundamental threats of the program), and 3) Strategies to overcome obstacles and threats (infrastructure solutions and management solutions). Conclusion: Considering that virtual education received serious attention with the onset of the COVID-19 epidemic, there are some shortcomings in this regard. Utilizing the results of the benefits and opportunities of virtual education can provide a good platform to improve the quality of this type of education. Besides, by looking at the obstacles and threats extracted in this study, plans can be made to solve the problems and challenges of virtual education

Designing an instructional guideline for common medical errors in gynecology and obstetrics

The aim of this qualitative study was to determine the most important medical errors made by gynecology residents. This study used a Delphi technique in three rounds. First, a list of common errors was prepared using a questionnaire, then the most important errors were prioritized and finally, the managerial and training procedures were determined for errors. In this study, 45 common errors were detected. The most common errors were inadequate surgical homeostasis, excessive use of magnesium sulfate, managerial error of post-operative infections; undiagnosed pulmonary embolism and incorrect prescription of heparin. Specialists and residents stated that designing an instructional guideline was the best method to manage all kinds of errors. Different regulatory and training procedures should be applied to prevent and control errors. An effective method for professional practitioners is designing instructional guidelines. In this study, an instructional manual was developed for the most frequent errors observed in obstetrics and gynecology