RESUMO
In order to improve the educational process, it is highly important to recognize effective factors in establishing communication between students and faculty member. This study was performed to determine students' points of view concerning such factors. In this descriptive-cross sectional study, 162 students from Arak Medical University were selected through stratified sampling method in 2004-2005. A questionnaire consisting of two parts demographic data and 23 questions related to the assessment of effective factors in establishing communication between students and faculty was used. The scale of the questionnaire was a four point scale ranging from "very effective" to "having no effect". Data was analyzed by SPSS software using frequency distribution, mean and standard deviation. The groups' comparison was made by chi2. The most effective factors in establishing communication, according to students' views, respectively were faculty member's rhetoric and teaching skills [84%], his knowledge [81.5%], his experience [76.5%], and his moral behavior [68.5%], while more than 50% of students indicated that faculty member's age and sex, had no effect in this communication. Some educational features of faculty member which reflect his teaching skills and proficiency, and some of his personal and behavioral characteristics revealing his social communication, are effective in establishing communication. It is highly recommended to conduct workshops for improving this communication