Search

Identification of key factors affecting the self-directed learning process in the virtual environment of medical education is vital. In this article, we designed a model that describes the self-directed learning process in the virtual learning environment for post graduate students of medical sciences in Iran. This study was carried out in two steps: first, using a qualitative study, we explored the formation of a self-directed learning process in the virtual environment. Second, a review of the literature was conducted to identify the conceptual models. Finally, based on the results, a self-directed learning model for virtual learning was developed. A total of 25 people were research participants in the qualitative part, and individual interviews were conducted with both faculty members and students. There were 1,049 codes, 80 subcategories, 15 categories, and 5 themes extracted from the interviews and through analysis. The themes included (a) backgrounds and requirements, (b) support, discipline, and coordination of the educational system, (c) students' effort to manage to learn, (d) efficiency, attractiveness, and organization of educational environments and context, and (e) personal excellence, growth, and development. The self-directed learning process in virtual environments consists of some elements and structures, and a description of the relationship between these elements can be the basis of educational planning to develop and compile an effective evaluation of this skill.

Background: Today, methods that enable students to benefit from online programs to the fullest and learn independently and self-directed are of critical importance. Many scales have been developed to measure self-directed learning in the physical classroom. This study was conducted to design and assess the psychometric properties of an instrument to assess learning process in a virtual environment. Materials and methods: A questionnaire for assessing s learning process in a virtual environment was developed following six steps. The process began with a systematic search for related articles. A qualitative study was then conducted to identify self-directed learning strategies and processes in virtual environments. The identified strategies were then compared with those from a literature review, and the scale items were developed accordingly. Expert validation, exploratory factor analysis, and reliability analysis were conducted to ensure questionnaire validity and reliability. This study included online postgraduate students from Iranian medical science universities in 2019. Results: The scale consisted of 5 factors and 44 items. In exploratory factor analysis, five subscales explained 90% of the total variance. Cronbach's alpha was 0.91 for the total scale. The interclass correlation coefficient between the test and retest was 0.77. Conclusion: A questionnaire designed to assess learning process in a virtual environment for postgraduate virtual students has reasonable psychometric properties, including reasonable internal reliability and construct validity.

The increasing growth of technology affects all aspects of life, including the system of education, and requires the implementation of a new education system. Since Electronic-learning (E-L) is a new and mutated form of education in Iran, its professional functions approach is different from that of traditional education. The present article aims to explain the concept and dimensions of professional functions in this field. Through a qualitative study, method and data source triangulation were used. To do so, the data sources were the professors, scholars, students, and graduates of this educational system in the field of medical sciences. To triangulate the methods, in-depth semi-structured interviews as well as focus groups, note-taking and reminders were used. The purposeful sampling consisted of 10 professors and scholars. Fifteen students and graduates participated in the four-session focus group discussions purposeful, and the sample consisted of 10 professors and scholars as well as seven students and graduates, and a total of 15 students and graduates were willing to participate in the focus group discussions. Inductive content analysis was used for the analysis of data. Three themes arose from the study as follows: E-learning prerequisites, E-Leaning enabling factors, and E-Learning obstacles. Each of the themes is explained along with the relevant categories and subcategories. Discovering the dimensions and elements affecting professional functions in the E-L system of medical sciences, this study provided documented meanings and dimensions of this phenomenon beyond the conventional sense. These dimensions can have direct or indirect impacts on professional functions in this field.

Background: In medical education, determining the strengths, weaknesses, desirability, and success of training courses from the perspective of its stakeholders is of particular importance because it can be the basis for subsequent decisions. Objectives: This cross-sectional research investigated the virtual summer semester from the perspectives of its many stakeholders. Methods: We conducted a multi-methods cross-sectional study. First, remote qualitative interviews were conducted with teachers and heads of departments to explain the features of the virtual summer semester course from their perspective. Twelve teachers and heads of departments participated in qualitative interviews using the intensity sampling method. A matrix was created in Microsoft Word according to the qualitative interview questions (web and telephone), and the answers were categorized based on thematic review. In the second phase, a mini literature review was conducted to develop the desirability and success indicators of online learning courses using questionnaires and checklists. In the third phase, a questionnaire-based survey was conducted among students (82 people). In the last phase, a checklist-based survey was performed among various stakeholders (100 people). Quantitative and qualitative data about the virtual summer semester course have been collected from 194 individuals. Results: Based on the thematic review of remote qualitative interviews and created matrix, strengths, weaknesses, and suggestions for improving this course were categorized. Based on descriptive statistics, the mean and SD of the age of teachers and heads of departments participating in the interview was (52.5 ± 8.68), and the mean and SD of the age of students participating in the questionnaire-based survey was (22.10 ± 2.78). In addition, the mean and SD of the age of students, teachers, heads of departments, and course executive team participating in the checklist-based survey were respectively (22.5 ± 3.5), (49.1 ± 7.5), (54.0 ± 2.8) and (34.3 ± 4.9). The findings of the questionnaire-based survey revealed that about 91% of the students have a positive attitude towards the course. In this regard, the average score of the students on all items about the desirability of the course was higher than the hypothetical average (P = 0.048). In addition, the quantitative findings indicated that all the stakeholders had evaluated the course as successful in terms of the organizational capacity of Smart University of Medical Sciences, pedagogy and educational effectiveness, and sufficient and capable human resources. In this regard, the average score of the course success factors differs from stakeholder to stakeholder for the organizational capacity (P = 0.004) and for the two components of pedagogy and educational effectiveness (P = 0.035) and sufficient and competent human resources (P = 0.043). Conclusions: According to the results and the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on medical education, these short-term and intensive structured virtual courses can be expanded and developed into regular semesters. The course's sustainability can be maintained by continual improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the effectiveness of e-learning methods in comparison with traditional learning on physiotherapy students' knowledge, skills and satisfaction/attitude. Seven databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, ProQuest, Ovid SP and Cochrane were searched until October 2021. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared e-learning with traditional learning or another form of digital education among physiotherapy students and assessed knowledge, skills and satisfaction/attitude were included. Cochrane effective practice and organisation of care tool was used to assess risk of bias. Nineteen RCTs were included. The results suggested that blended learning approach is better than traditional methods for improving skills and satisfaction/attitude in physiotherapy students, with moderate to low level of evidence. There was no difference between blended learning and traditional learning for knowledge acquisition. Pure e-learning revealed an equal result with traditional learning in all measured outcomes. Due to limited number of studies that compared one e-learning method with another form of digital education, the findings were inconclusive. e-Learning methods made changes in knowledge, skills, satisfaction/attitude. Based on moderate to low evidence, blended learning method may be more effective than traditional learning in terms of skill acquisition and satisfaction/attitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the integration of post-publication peer review (PPPR) as a strategy to address research misconduct arising from artificial intelligence (AI). The use of AI in scientific research has revolutionized the field, but it also presents ethical concerns such as algorithmic bias, data bias, and privacy issues. PPPR, which involves reviewing journal articles after they have been published, offers an iterative feedback process that enhances the honesty and integrity of research. By combining PPPR with AI-generated research, the quality, transparency, and accountability of academic papers can be improved, reducing the likelihood of misconduct and fostering community collaboration. [Extracted from the article]

Introduction: The objective of the present study is to assess the reliability and validity of the Persian version of the questionnaire for identifying barriers and levers to best hand hygiene practice among healthcare practitioners. Methods: In this validation study, the 210 healthcare practitioners were recruited by convenience sampling. All the participants competed the Persian version of the questionnaire that was developed and validated by Dyson and et al. All analyses were done through SPSS, version 20 and Mplus version 5.1. Results: From 210 participants, 85.47% were men and the percent mean of self-reported compliance with hand hygiene was 77.17%. Explanatory factor analysis extracted ten factor for the questionnaire that explained 68.86% of the total variance overall. Also, factor analysis the Persian version the questionnaire was consistent with the factor structure of the original questionnaire. The confirmatory factor analysis was performed and indicated the adequacy of assumed theoretical model. Conclusions: The Persian version of the questionnaire can be applied as the reliable and valid tool in the researches for identifying barriers and levers to best hand hygiene practice among healthcare practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Delphi as a consensus development technique enables anonymous, systematic refinement of expert opinion with the aim of arriving at a combined or consensual position. In this study, we determined the criteria and their weights for Iranian Medical Schools' ranking through a Delphi process. An expert committee devised 13 proposed criteria with 32 indicators with their weights, which were arranged hierarchically in the form of a tree diagram. We used the Delphi technique to reach a consensus on these criteria and weights among the deans of 38 public Iranian medical schools. For this purpose, we devised and sent a questionnaire to schools and asked them to suggest or correct the criteria and their weights. We repeated this process in two rounds till all the schools reached an acceptable consensus on them. All schools reached a consensus on the set of 13 criteria and 30 indicators and their weights in three main contexts of education, research and facilities, and equipment which were used for Medical Schools' ranking. Using Delphi technique for devising the criteria and their weights in evaluation processes such as ranking makes their results more acceptable among universities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Professionalism is an important measure of the efficacy of the medical education. Some studies showed that dominant values changed during clinical education, and some negative values might replace positive ones. In this regard, this study aimed to explore barrier to professionalism in clinical medical education., Methods: This was a qualitative study conducted with the content analysis method. A total of 34 interviews with 23 participants were done., Results: Two hundred forty-eight original codes were extracted from the research data, which were classified under the theme of "Academic Exhaustion" and the four following categories: "stressful environment, "human conflict," "Poor Inter professional collaboration," and "emotional exhaustion.", Discussion: It can be admitted that having full knowledge of the factors influencing professionalism from the viewpoint of stakeholders can improve the environmental and organizational conditions to prevent professional misconduct., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2020 Journal of Education and Health Promotion.)

Introduction: Selection of the managers and leaders is a major concern of leading organizations. Recruitment of the qualified individuals in an educational organization depends on effective selection techniques. The present study reports the experience of Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) in designing a framework for selection of school dean., Materials and Methods: First, a literature review was conducted to identify the common frameworks for the selection of deans in academic environment. Then, the perceptions of key stakeholders were collected via focus group discussions. Thematic analysis was used to categorize participants' comments. Following, an institutional guideline for selection of school dean was developed based on the derived themes and subthemes by a task force and approved by the board of directors., Results: Three themes and nine subthemes were extracted, resulting in the selection framework for the school dean at TUMS with three phases of preparation, selection, and appointment. The preparation phase includes organizational needs analysis, designing the selection strategy and determining the eligibility of nominee. In the selection phases, various methods such as personal resume, interview, and consultation with beneficiaries were recommended, and the appointment phase includes formal appointment of the selected nominee by the university chancellor., Conclusions: We developed a framework for selection of school dean at TUMS. It recognizes the process that top managers would look out when selecting school deans. The framework may result to choose the proper individuals who have suitable plans and stronger Curriculum Vitae, while involving key stakeholders and collecting wisdom., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2020 Journal of Education and Health Promotion.)

Purpose: It is essential to adjust the responsibilities and function of medical education offices (MEOs) in regard to the current societal requirements. Therefore, it is a good idea to learn lessons from the experiences about the establishment and function of these offices around the world. The aim of the present study was to carry out a comparative study to investigate the function and structure of MEOs at some of the medical universities from America, Europe, and Asia., Subjects and Methods: This is a comparative, descriptive study that was conducted in 2015. Eleven offices around the world (in America, Europe, and Asia) were selected for the study. Expert group discussion and literature review were used in order to select research sample. The data were gathered using self-constructed checklists. Content and face validity of the checklist was assessed by gathering feedback from experts. The Kappa coefficient was used to determine the inter-rater reliability., Results: All the 11 offices in our study (100%) dealt with the issues of faculty development and research and scholarship activities. Only one out of the 11 offices (27%) dealt with the issues of society and patient education. Five out of the 11 offices (36%) dealt with the continuing medical education and continuing professional development. Consultation services are provided at seven of the 11 offices (64%)., Conclusions: This study revealed both commonalities and differences in the function and structure of MEO among the 11 offices we examined. Based on this study, effective goals and strategies for MEO can be recommended., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.