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BACKGROUND: Since assessment of basic thinking skills is crucial in identifying an individual’s cognitive capacities and comprehending their strengths and weaknesses, developing a suitable evaluating instrument holds significant importance in scheduling the training of basic thinking skills. This study aims to develop and subsequently validate a self-assessment questionnaire of basic thinking skills for medical sciences students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study of designing and psychometrically testing the self-assessment questionnaire of basic thinking skills among medical sciences students was conducted between 2022 and 2023 at Isfahan University. For the validity review, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was employed. The adequacy of sample size was checked with the KMO index and Bartlett’s test of sphericity. To perform EFA, principal factor analysis with Varimax rotation was performed. To obtain evidence of reliability, the internal consistency of the questionnaire was examined using Cronbach’s alpha. The instrument stability was assessed through test-retest and intra-cluster correlation coefficient (ICC) analysis. RESULTS: The KMO (Keyser-Meyer-Elkin) sampling index was 780, and Bartlett’s sphericity test (BT) was also significant (P = .000). In analyzing the main components and checking the value, the first five components had an eigenvalue above one. The highest percentage of the total variance (67.64%) was explained by the first five factors, while the remaining variance (33.35%) was explained by the remaining 14 factors. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for 19 items of the final questionnaire was 0.83. Intra-cluster correlation index (ICC) for overall self-assessment of thinking skills (ICC = 0.77), self-assessment of basic thinking skills (ICC = 0.80), self-assessment of lateral thinking (ICC = 0.78), and the necessity of teaching thinking skills (ICC = 0.74)) were all above 0.7 (P < 0.001). DISCUSSION: This study offers the first self-assessment questionnaire for basic thinking skills of medical sciences students which can be employed as a valid and reliable instrument for self-assessment of thinking skills and gaining insight into their training experiences. While the psychometrics of this questionnaire were based on the data from medical students, this questionnaire applies to students across various academic disciplines and is not limited to medical fields.

Introduction: In order to benefit from the advantages of essay exams, one must be sure to reliably judge students based on essay test scores. The aim of this study was to examine the correlation of scores in the essay and MCQ parts of renal pathophysiology final exam and students’ views about the effect of the type of test on their study. Methods: This descriptive correlational survey was performed in Isfahan School of Medicine from fall 2015 to winter 2017. Three groups of students (n=455) participated in the renal pathophysiology and took a test consisting of 36 multiple-choice and 10 essay questions. The MCQ part was graded in OPSCAN software. The correlation of MCQ and essay scores was investigated via bivariate correlation and paired t-test was used to compare the mean scores. Students’ views about the type of test and its effect on their study were surveyed by means of a Likert-scale questionnaire. Results: There was a strong positive correlation between the scores in essay and MCQ parts in the three groups (group 1: r=0.631 n=151 p

BACKGROUND: During the past decade, the benefits of using portfolios, especially electronic portfolios, were recognized. Due to the lack of using portfolios and especially electronic portfolio in the clinical evaluations of internship training in medical schools of Iran, this study has designed, implemented, and evaluated a comprehensive system for monitoring and evaluating the activities of interns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a software development study in the three phases of design, implementation, and evaluation. All stages of the project were carried out in the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences during 2019–2020. The software design phase was performed using the Rapid Application Development Methodology (RAD model). In the implementation phase, it was used as a pilot study in the internal department of the medical school. System evaluation was performed using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods. Data were analyzed using the content analysis for qualitative data and descriptive statistical analysis using the SPSS software for quantitative data. RESULTS: In the educational standards survey, in 10 items, the percentage of choosing “perfectly fit” and “fit” was above 90% (high quality). In the technical standards questionnaire, out of 35 items related to software technical quality, eight items were of acceptable quality and 27 of them were partially acceptable. In the Student Satisfaction Questionnaire, in 9 items, interns' satisfaction with the system was high or very high, and in either case, there was little or no dissatisfaction or satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Positive educational effects can be used in all clinical settings if modification and improvement of the software continues, with slight modifications.

Introduction: One of the most important changes in medical education programs in Iran has been designing and implementing course of Introduction to Clinical Medicine (ICM) in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. This study determines the methods and results of process evaluation (from CIPP evaluation) used for ICM revision and evaluation program. This study aimed to provide evidences about its efficiency and extract its executive disadvantages and limitation. Method: This is an evaluation study conducted in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Data were collected through descriptive studies and in most cases, self-administrated questionnaire was used. In some cases, comparing the final MCQ scores was used. This evaluation was done during conducting new ICM program. Separate evaluation tools were prepared in several steps and used for each course at the end of that. These Steps are literature review, preparing draft questionnaire, getting feedback from, and consulting with main stakeholders of evaluation and preparing the final questionnaires. The content and face validity of the questionnaires were confirmed by experts of education after conducting a pilot study and the reliability were checked by Cronbach's Alpha coefficient. Results: The results showed that the students have more positive attitude toward EBM course. Students believed that ICM was an appropriate section for learning medical records. They were not satisfied with management of medical records course by nursing department, identifying learning objectives and the extent of accessing to them, time devoted to this lesson, teaching method, sources and evaluation method. Evaluation of communication skills course showed students’ positive attitude toward this course and their learning of this course. Overall students' satisfaction in most items of ICM course (volume of ICM course, resources, evaluation methods, exams intervals, content of tests, arrangement of packages, volume of lessons, arrangement of practical courses, giving information) was more in old ICM program than the new one. Clinical students agreed with all changes. Mean score of sign and symptom and pathophysiology of disease showed a slight increase in new ICM program (insignificant statistically). Frequency of the failed student decreased from 18 student-units in old ICM program to 10 student-units in new one. Conclusion: The results showed a relatively successful experience in reviewing and evaluating a medical education program. Regarding complexity of reviewing and evaluating medical education programs, this study can be used as a guide for designing other similar researches that are effective in future planning and decision-makings.

Introduction: A variety of educational strategies appropriate for medical student learning have been introduced. Problem- based learning is a major, complex and widespread strategy in medical education, especially in basic science education. In the SPICES model PBL is presented as continuums (from information oriented learning to problem-based learning). In this study, we developed a questionnaires based on continuums as a tool for curriculum evaluation. Method: This developmental study had 2 phases. The first phase was concept mapping and questionnaire development. This phase was performed as an extensive literature review and consensus building in focus groups of experts. The content and face validity of questionnaires was confirmed. The second phase was pilot study. In this phase, the PBL questionnaire was used for evaluation of biology course. All ICM students that had taken biology course two semesters ago completed questionnaires. We used frequency of item selection for determining location on the continuums. The reliabilities were checked by Cronbach's Alpha. Result: The results showed that biology course located in the traditional end of PBL continuum of all aspects of the course (student role, teacher role, resources, content of tests, grading, time management, physical environment). Discussion: Many medical schools from all over the world have implemented PBL curricula and they have assessed effectiveness of these strategies. But very little is known about the evaluation of curriculum based on this strategy. The present work may be considered as a guide for curriculum evaluation.

Introduction: In the classrooms of medical students, some times we can see problems that affect teaching quality. For solving common problems, some ways for effective teaching were selected. Including of pre-study, Computer-mediated learning package, quiz exam every teaching session, and group discussion. Then combination of this methods as PCQG model performed for pilot study in the kidney chapter of last edition of Robbins pathology text book. And the results were evaluated. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on Persian Bahman month according to solar year, term 88-89 for medical students of Isfahan University. Because of positive results again was done for next series of medical students in mehr 89. At first, student's were Asked to study before the classes, and for each of three sessions, one third of the text was determined (The pilot text was chapter of Kidney and urinary truct of 8th edition of Basic Pathology of Robbins). For this purpose a "training pakage" including of previous teachings and scan of the text was handovered a week before classes. Using Internet also was possible for the students. At the beginning of each sessions Quiz exam was given. In all sessions Insted of lecture, group discussion was conducted. Using multiple choice exam, likert scale questionnare and unstructural interviews with students, the effectiveness of this method was evaluated. Results: The results indicates that 75 percent of students received acceptable scors from Quiz exam, 71/9 percent received acceptable scors from MCQ exam (moderate or good), and 73/9 percent received acceptable scors from total exam. On the other hand in opinion of the students this method could engage students in active discussions properly. Also cause good assessment of students learning, during the course done. Conclusion: This method as a new effective teaching/learning model can be expanded for educating various courses for students of medical sciences. PCQG model can be applied in provincial and national levels. P= Per-study C= Computer mediated Communication Q= Quiz G= Group

Background: At most of the medical universities, MCQ-based examinations are often use as the first component, particularly to ensure the candidates have an adequate knowledge base, prior to entering subsequent clinical examinations. Method: In ICM , 3973 MCQs were collected from tests over a four-year period from 2005 to2009. Questions were evaluated for 10 frequently occurring item writing flows, for cognitive level and for difficulty and discrimination index. Results: Result show that 66.9% of the questions contained violations of item writing guidelines and79.1% were written at low cognitive levels. MCQs written at a low cognitive level were significantly more likely to contain item writing flows.47.3% of the questions had suitable discrimination index and 28.8% of the questions had suitable difficulty index. While there was no relationship between difficulty index and cognitive level, higher cognitive level and suitable discrimination index had significant relationship. Discussion: We should think about practically ways for using results of item analysis. Faculty members should be taught designing and using suitable questions and developing MCQs bank.

Introduction: Employing exclusively electronic learning is not possible for practical and clinical courses. But, using a combination of different educational approaches seems to be sensible. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of mixed method of electronic and small group education with that of small group only method. Methods: Seventy two students of Introductory Clinical Medicine (ICM) course in School of Medicine attended this quasi-experimental study in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in the year 2008. They were randomly divided into two groups. The experiment group received a CD of Schwartz physical examination a week before running the sessions and they were asked to practice chest physical examination before attending small group training sessions. Chest physical examination skills were taught to both groups using small group training approach, one week later. Students’ learning was measured through an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and the scores achieved by each group were compared. Students' viewpoints regarding the mixed method, was asked through a questionnaire. The results were analyzed by SPSS software using inferential statistics such as T-test. Results: The mean score of the test in the experiment group was significantly higher than that of the control group. Also, the mean score for following detailed technical points in examination was higher in the experiment group compared to the control group. Conclusion: Making use of e-learning in the mixed approach facilitates active and deep learning. Despite the difference in the scientific source of the CD and the one used in small groups, a significant effect on learning was observed in the mixed method. Therefore, before providing the needed electronic sources relevant to the curriculum, using the existing sources would be useful.