[Internal evaluation of the department of epidemiology and biostatistics / of the school of public health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences]

Experience at the national and international levels shows that internal evaluation, especially at the level of academic departments, can play a critical role in warranting having a university with high standards. The objectives of the present research project were to determine [a]. the quality of the structural elements of the Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department [EBD] School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, and [b]. The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, on the basis of which action could be taken to improve the quality of activities in the Department. The study was conducted with the collaboration of the head and faculty members, all of the students [residents, Ph.D. and M.S. students], and the graduates, of the EBD. Nine variables were studied, namely, 1]. Aims and objectives; 2]. Organizational and management structure; 3]. Faculty members; 4]. Students; 5]. Teaching and learning process; 6]. Courses and curricula; 7]. Graduates; 8]. Research and educational facilities and equipment; and 9]. Research activities of the faculty members. First the initial weight of the 9 variables were determined by opinion poll carried out among all the faculty members of EBD. Then unrelated data were identified through proper tests and omitted and the final weights extracted. The tools used to collect the data included interview, observation, and 7 self-prepared questionnaires and 2 check lists. The mean score for the 9 factors studied was 59.8%, the range being between 37.0% [for objectives and mission] and 72.0% [for graduates]. The graduate domain is one of the key areas in internal evaluation of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. On the other hand, the lower score for objective and aims domain implicates the need for future intervention in this domain

Educational programs' quality assessment based on graduates' comments

The specific goal of this study was quality assessment the educational programs of basic and clinical sciences of Tehran University of Medical Sciences [TUMS] according to the graduates' viewpoints. We obtained the list of all 1200 graduates of TUMS in 2007. Using a random generation table, 350 subjects were selected from the seven faculties of TUMS in proportion to the number of graduates from each faculty. The data collection device was a 15 item researcher-made questionnaire according to the existing problems in the educational system of the university. All the items of the questionnaire were constructed and standardized in terms of validity and reliability based on the latest reliable sources and textbooks on educational assessment [Likert indices]. Cronbach alpha was estimated to be 0.85. The most satisfaction from educational programs in basic sciences and clinical sciences was related to practical skills [4.36 +/- 1.22] versus satisfaction with education [4.76 +/- 1.66]. The quantity indices in basic sciences were 68.44% [3.42] which is in a fairly optimal range; for clinical sciences it was 77.2% [3.86], being also in an optimum range. TUMS must make an attempt to reach the optimal point in every educational aspect

satisfaction of medical practitioners from continuing medical education program of Tehran university of medical sciences

The concept of Continuing Medical Education in medical sciences has been rapidly gaining popularity during the last decades. The objective of this study was to assess the satisfaction of medical profession graduates participating in the programs of Continuing Medical Education [CME] in terms of their professional requirements. In a cross-sectional, descriptive analytical study, a reliable and valid retest questionnaire was used to determine the satisfaction from continuing medical education CME program. One hundred and three medical profession graduates who had participated in CME program in 2006 were enrolled. The satisfaction for anesthesiologists with the compatibility of CME programs with their professional requirements was 28.3%; for general practitioners and pediatricians with the capability of professors in presenting the program, 40%; and for gynecologists and obstetricians with the capability of 31.6%. We conclude from the results of this study that a high satisfaction was noticed among medical professionals that may be due to previous works of researchers who have assessed the needs precisely and standardized the modern teaching methods

[Effect of Orem self care model on elderies' quality of life in health care centers of Masjed solaiman in 2007-2008]

The most important determinant factor in elder's quality of life is healthy. Since health can be declined by aging, in health promotion consider an effective model of care can by very important. We surveyed the effect of Orem Self Care Model on quality of life [QQL] of elderly in Masjed Solaiman. This is a pre and post quasi-experimental study was carried out on 349 elderly clients which were selected from 11 health care centers in Masjed Solaiman in 2007-2008. Orem Self Care program was performed during a 3 months in days that the clients came to health care centers. Data were gathered by a short form questionnaire [SF 36] before and after the intervention and was analyzed by descriptive statistics and paired t-test. Results showed a significant increase in mean scores of different dominations of QOL including; health, physical performance, physical role- performance, emotional role- performance, social performance, body pain, power and energy, general health perception, and overall mean of QOL. Paired t-test showed a significant difference [P<0.001] between all of dominations of the quality of life. Performing Orem Self Care educational program had a positive influence on improving QOL of elderly

[Internal evaluation in Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences]

Evaluation is a systematic process for collecting, analyzing and interpretation of the obtained information for the purpose of investigating how many the objectives in mind can be achieved. Education in an academic educational system means bringing about proper and increasing changes that affect the outcome of this system, that is affecting the students, and the aim of such evaluation was promotion of the quality of an education process. In this study faculty of nursing and midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, benefiting from opinion poll of university lectures, student and graduates have evaluated their system of educational in the year 2004 and their aim was to remodel and adjust educational system with the society's needs and promotion of the quality of such educations. The employed method was cross sectional and descriptive and analytical on the basis of 10 procedural steps and within 8 sections dealing with evaluated factors. Such as faculty board members, management and organizational capability, students, manpower and logistic affairs, educational environments research work centers, health and therapeutic sections, educational equipment, research equipment, laboratory and diagnosis centers, educational courses and programs, teaching and learning process as well as satisfaction expressed by students. the results of the research showed that general average of 8 investigating sections, based on SWOTs model were respectively 80.4% [nursing department], 81.5% [Midwifery department] and 82.1% [Ph.D nursing] that may well be interpreted as a desirable research work. Educational evaluation is the best indicator showing how much we should go to achieve certain aims, analyzes quality of the activity if such a system and by which we achieve logical and routine results

Assessment of medical education quality in Tehran University of medical sciences and health services

Teaching assessment is a process of collecting and analyzing data in order to make a judgment on merits and limitations of a teaching program. Thus, assessment would be an important and practical instrument to improve teaching quality. The main objective of the research is quality improvement of medical education, and specific objectives are set as study of output factors of the educational system, management of educational planning, trainees [students, stagers, interns and residents], faculty members, educational facilities and equipment, educational environments and graduates' satisfaction. This study was designed as a cross sectional and an analytical descriptive survey. Research and development method as well as survey research have been used in this study. Of all graduated general practitioners, 82% were male and 18% were female. The course average score was between 15 and 16 for 48.1% of the subject graduates. Of graduated GPs, 38.1% consider the basic sciences courses as the strength points in their studies, and 60.8% consider internship course as a weak period in their education. Of all graduated GPs, 81% were satisfied with their education in the School of Medicine