Religious Attitude in First and Last Year Medical Students of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences and its Relationship with Self-esteem

For downloading the full-text of this article please click here.Background and Objective: Religious attitude and self-esteem are the concepts that have tremendous effects on all aspects of human life and have been studied in various studies. The aim of this study was to examine the religious attitude and self-esteem of medical students in Ahwaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences and determine the relationship between these two variables.Method: In this descriptive-analytical study, 197 first- and last-year medical students were selected and evaluated. Data collection instruments were 25-item religious attitude questionnaire (Golris-Barahani), and 10-item Rosenberg Self-Esteem questionnaire. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation coefficient, independent sample t-test, and Mann-Whitney test. All ethical issues were observed in this study and the researchers declared no conflicts of interest.Results: The mean age of the freshmen and senior’s were18.93±.94 and 24.59±1.28, respectively. The mean of religious attitudes and self-esteem score of students, on a scale of 100 and 40, were 60.42±10.01 and 26.51±5.92, respectively. The mean and standard deviation of the religious attitude scores of the first and last year students were 63.39±10.01 and 57.55±10.3, respectively, which was statistically significant (p<0.001). The mean and standard deviation of self-esteem scores in the first and last years of medical education were 26.58±6.14 and 26.43±5.71, respectively. This difference was not statistically significant (p=0.85). Pearson correlation coefficient showed a positive relationship between religious attitudes and self-esteem (r=0.156, p=0.032) and a negative relationship between intrinsic religious attitudes and age of students (r=0.293, p=0.001).Conclusion: The results showed that the religious attitude of medical students is high at the time of entering university, but this attitude has weakened upon graduation. Identifying the factors lowering students’ religious attitudes to implement strategic plans can provide a basis for strengthening students' religious beliefs.For downloading the full-text of this article please click here.Please cite this article as: Shakurnia A,Baniasad M.Religious Attitude in First and Last Year Medical Students of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences and its Relationship with Self-esteem. J Res Relig Health. 2019; 5(3):5-17. doi: https://doi.org/10.22037/jrrh.v5i3.1739

Survey on Correct Response Position in Multiple Choice Tests: A Descriptive Study

Background & Objective: One of the issues of multiple choice tests is preparation of effective distracter options and position of the correct answer among the distractor options. The aim of this study was to determine the position of the correct option in multiple choice tests in Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Iran, in 2013. Methods: In this descriptive study, 214 exams, which were entered into the automated service center of the university, were studied in respect to the position of the correct answer. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and frequency, percentage, and chi-square test. Results: In general, 14,359 multiple choice questions were investigated. The position of the correct answer was the A option in 2260 questions (15.7%), the B option in 3893 question (27.1%), the C option in 4683 question (32.6%), and the D option in 3523 questions (24.6%). Chi-square test showed statistically significant difference between of the correct answer in options of A, B, C, and D (P = 0.001). The highest percentage of correct answers was in option C, and the lowest percentage of correct answer was in option A. The findings of the study also revealed that the percentage of the correct answer in the middle options (B and C) was significantly higher than other options (A and D) (59.7% V 40.3%, P = 0.001). Conclusion: The results showed that the distribution of correct choices between options of multiple choice tests performed in the university is not suitable. Random selection of the correct options is recommended as a suitable approach to avoiding this problem. Keywords: Multiple choice test; Distracter options; Position of correct optio

Radiology as the Most Popular Specialty among Iranian Medical Residents: What are the Influencing Factors in Choosing this Specialty?

Background: Medical residents choose to pursue their careers based on multiple internal and external factors. These factors, in turn, affect not only their personal future but the overall status of the health care system in every region. Objectives: To determine the factors affecting radiology residents' choice of specialty career choice. Methods: This research was a cross-sectional study. The statistical population was all radiology residents (N=48) of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical sciences studying during the academic year 2018-2019. The data were collected by a researcher-made questionnaire. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by the experts, and its reliability was calculated using Cronbach's alpha (α = 0.71). Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical tests (Mann-Whitney U test) by SPSS version 18. Results: The mean age of participants was 30.7±2.6 years. The most important factors influencing the choice of radiology specialty were: “Acquiring knowledge and competency for better treatment” (mean 4.18 out of 5), “convenience and lack of emergency” (3.90), and “good career future" (3.88), respectively; While “family and friends' advice” (3.18) and “possibility of continuing education and fellowship” (3.07) were the least important factors. “Higher income” was significantly more important in the specialty choice among male residents (P< 0.05). Conclusion: This study provided valuable information on the factors influencing the choice of radiology specialty. Understanding specific factors that influence decisions to enter the specialty of radiology may provide proper guidance for human resources planners to consider the needs of the community’s health system. Keywords: Medicine, Residents, Attitude, Specialty Selection, Radiolog

The effect of question generation activity on students’ learning and perception

Introduction: Student-generated questions can be a very helpful tool in medical education. The use of this activity can allow the students to feel more involved in the subjects covered and may improve their knowledge and learning. The aim of this study was to identify the effect of question-writing activity as a stimulus factor on learning in midwifery students and determine their perception about this activity. Methods: This quasi-experimental study with two groups of pre- and post-tests was conducted on two groups of midwifery students who had taken the immunology course. Two classes of midwifery students (N=62) participated and were randomly assigned to two different groups. One class was selected as the experimental group (n=32) and the other class was considered as the control group (n=30). The experimental group’s students were asked to write questions covering different topics of the syllabus components taught during 15 weeks from February 2016 to May 2016. They were asked to write, answer and explain their multiple-choice questions (MCQs). The students’ performance in immunology course was compared between the two groups at the end of the semester. After their final exam, we asked them to fill in a questionnaire on their views about this activity. The data were analyzed by independent t- test using SPSS software, version 18. Results: The differences between pre- and post-test mean scores of the experimental and control groups were 24.53±5.74 and 20.63±5.58, respectively. The results of independent t-test showed that these differences in the two groups were significant (p=0.009). Nevertheless, most of the students stated that question writing activity as a learning tool is an unfamiliar exercise and unpopular learning strategy. Conclusion: Results showed that question writing by students has been found to promote learning when it is implemented as a part of the teaching curriculum in immunology course; therefore, this activity could be effective in improving the students’ learning

Nursing students motivations and satisfaction, Do the motivation and satisfaction of nursing students change during their study years?

Background: Study the level of nursing students` motivations and satisfaction may help policy makers to develop training plans to improve graduates skills and commitment. This study was conducted to investigate nursing students' motivations and satisfaction during study years at Ahvaz Jundishapur University of medical sciences. Methods:It was a cross-sectional study to explore 197 nursing students' viewpoints about their fields. A validated and reliable self-made questionnaire was developed and used. Data analysis was carried out by descriptive statistics, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and t-test using SPSS software (version 16). Results: The study findings showed that the most crucial motivation factors to select nursing course were “job security” and “interest in medical science” with means 3.94 and 3.68 respectively. The mean satisfaction score of the nursing students was under average (2.75). There was significant difference between mean satisfaction scores of the first and last year students (respectively, 3.69 vs. 2.90 p=0.0001). Conclusion: Level of nursing students' satisfaction get reduces after university entrance and during study years gradually. Key words: Nursing student, motivation, satisfactio

An Analysis of the Trend of Students’ Referral to the Counseling Service Center of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Iran

Background & Objective: A survey of the trend of students’ referral to university counseling service centers can aid administrators in identifying students’ problems and resolving them. In this study, the trend of students’ referral to the university counseling service center was evaluated during 7 semesters. Methods: In this retrospective study, the causes of students’ referral to the university counseling service center were examined over a period of time. Data were collected from the archives of the university counseling center. The data were analyzed using chi-square test in SPSS software and were described through percentage and frequency. Results: Among the 2,130 studied students, 28.9% were men and 71.1% women with a mean age of 22.39 ± 3.5 (18 to 38 years). The students’ referral to the university counseling service center had a linear and decreasing trend. The most common causes of students’ referral to the counseling service center in this period were adaptive and individual problems (31%), psycho-emotional (26.5%), educational (18.9%), familial-marital (15.8%), and others (7.8%). During this period, the rate of students’ referral decreased in all areas except others. Conclusion: The findings revealed that the most common causes for students’ referrals to the counseling center were adaptive and individual problems, psycho-emotional problems. The rate of students’ referral had a linear trend and decreased in most areas. Key Words: Counseling center, Trend, Students' referral, Ahvaz Universit

Effect of Concept Mapping Education on Critical Thinking Skills of Medical Students: A Quasi-experimental Study

BACKGROUND፡ Fostering critical thinking (CT) is one of the most important missions in medical education. Concept mapping is a method used to plan and create medical care through a diagrammatic representation of patient problems and medical interventions. Concept mapping as a general method can be used to improve CT skills in medical students. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of concept mapping on CT skills of medical students.METHODS: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 100 second-year medical students which take an anatomy course. Participants were randomly assigned into a control group (lecture-based) and an intervention group (concept mapping). CT levels of medical students were assessed using the California Critical Thinking Skills Test. Data were analyzed using independent sample t-test.RESULTS: Before intervention, CT scores of the intervention and control groups were 6.68 ± 2.55 and 6.64±2.74, respectively, and after intervention, they were 11.64±2.29 and 10.04 ± 3.11, respectively. Comparison of mean score differences for both groups before and after intervention demonstrated that CT scores in the experimental group significantly increased after intervention (P=0.021).CONCLUSIONS: Medical students who were taught through concept mapping showed an increase in CT scores, compared with those in the control group. Medical students require effective CT skills in order to make sound knowledge-based assessment and treatment choices during patient care. Therefore, instructors and planners of medical education are expected to apply this educational strategy for developing CT skills in medical students

The Relationship of Self-esteem and Studying Approaches with Academic Achievement of University Students

Background & Objective: Identification of the role of factors such as self-esteem and studying approaches in academic achievement could lead to improved educational programming and reinforced teaching output. This study was performed to determine the relationship of academic achievement with self-esteem and approaches to studying among university students. Methods: This descriptive correlational study was conducted on 147 nursing and midwifery students of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Iran, in 2012. The mean of grade point average (GPA) during the past semester was considered as the index for academic achievement. Data collection was performed using the approaches and study skills inventory for students (ASSIST) and the Rosenberg self-esteem scale (RSES). Data were analyzed using independent sample t-test, and the Pearson correlation coefficient and the SPSS statistical software. Conclusion: Studying approaches and self-esteem can have an important role in the academic achievement of university students. Thus, it may be possible to promote the academic achievement of students by improving their self-esteem and guiding them to use appropriate approaches to studying. Key Words: Self-esteem, Studying approaches, Academic achievement, Nursing and midwifery student

A Survey on Distractors in Multiple-choice Questions and its Relationship on Difficulty and Discriminative Indices

Introduction: The distractors have a very important role in Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ) and it can influence the quality of the tests. This study aimed to investigate frequency of functioning and non-functioning distractors and the relationship between the distractors options with difficulty and discrimination in Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical sciences in 2017. Methods: In this descriptive-analytic study, the distractors of the MCQs in the immunology were examined. The distractors were those that selected by more than 5% of the examinees', they were considered as Functioning Distractors (FDs) and by less than 5% of the examinees' were considered as non-functioning distractors (NFDs). Data were analyzed using Analysis of Variances and Pearson correlation coefficient; for all tests error was considered as 5%. Results: Out of 2124 distractors, 1361 (64.08%) were FDs and 763 (35.92%) were NFDs. The frequency of MCQs with 0, 1, 2 and 3 FDs was 12.4%, 19.5%, 31.5% and 36.6%, respectively. There was a significant negative correlation between the number of FDs and the difficulty index (r=0.442, p=0.000), but there was not a significant correlation between the number of FDs and the discriminative index of MCQs (r=0.043, p=0.259). Conclusion: The findings showed that more than one-thirds of the distractors were NFDs. As a result of increasing the number of NFDs, the difficulty and the discriminative indices of questions decreased and led to a drop in the quality of the test. Item analysis results could be used to identify and remove non-functioning distractors from MCQs that have been used to improve the quality exam