ABSTRACT
Background: Faculty members are the main pillars of universities, and their performance has a vital role in the efficiency of universities. In the current era of the Covid-19 pandemic, students' traditional evaluation method is not sufficient, and 360-degree evaluation is recommended, or multi-rater feedback is a means of providing evaluation from various stakeholders. The aim of this study was to compare the evaluation of faculty members' teaching effectiveness in Larestan Medical School by 360 degrees and the evaluation done by the students in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods: This descriptive-analytic study compared the 360 degree evaluation and the students' ratings on faculty members' performance at Larestan University of Medical Sciences during 2020 -2021. The statistical population consisted of all full-time professors (N=28) selected by census method and students (N=280) chosen by random cluster sampling. The materials used were six valid and reliable questionnaires filled out by students, an expert in evaluation, heads of departments, deputies, peers, and self-assessment of faculty members. Data were analyzed through SPSS software (version 23) using the Friedman test (P<0.001). Results: The results showed a significant difference between the 360-degree evaluation and students' ratings (P=0.05). According to the students' attitudes, there was a significant difference between the mean scores of the faculty members' communication skills and instructional skills (P<0.001). In addition, according to the head of departments, peers, an expert in the evaluation and self-assessment of faculty members, there was a positive and significant correlation between these two evaluations. However, there was no correlation between the heads of departments' views and those of the deputies for education (P<0.001). Conclusion: Given the views of different participants in this study and the dimensions of assessment of faculty members, it seems that 360-degree assessment is more realistic and fair to be done in universities. In general, it is suggested that professors, in order to better understand their strengths and weaknesses, should pay more attention to all stakeholders' views in 360-degree evaluation to improve the quantity and quality of education. © 2023 Authors. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Background & Objective: Every operating room has been associated with a variety of occupational hazards, but not many studies have been conducted to assess and address these hazards. We used a qualitative approach to explore operating room personnel's experiences of workplace hazards and how these hazards threaten their occupational safety and health (OSH). Methodology: This qualitative study was conducted in five teaching hospitals in the south-west of Iran from February 2019 to March 2021. The sample was 24 operating room personnel who were selected under convenient sampling technique. Data were collected using semi-structured, individual interviews, document review and non-participant observation. The collected data were analyzed according to the qualitative content analysis method using MAXQDA v. 2020. Results: After prolonged analysis of the data, the researchers extracted 644 codes, 13 subcategories, 4 categories, and 1 main theme. The main theme of the study was working in a context of occupational hazards. Conclusions: Operating rooms are full of potential dangers, which, when combined with the personnel's negligence and management inefficiencies, increase the risk of occupational health and safety. Therefore, making working conditions safe by providing adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), in-service training, and identifying and managing the causes of personnel negligence are recommended. Moreover, strategies should be introduced to manage stress and conflicts among the healthcare personnel, thus controlling psychological hazards.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Nowadays, the issue of the COVID-19 disease has created a wave of worry and fear among the general public, especially nurses. Nurses include a large group of treatment staff who will not be able to act an optimal care if they do not possess an appropriate mental and physical health. The present research was planned to determine the rate of anxiety and its effective factors among nurses caring for COVD-19 patients at hospitals affiliated with Universities of Medical Sciences of Shiraz and Yazd.Methods: This descriptive study was carried out in the year 2020 using multi-stage stratified random sampling method. Data were collected and analyzed using demographic and Spielberger standard questionnaire.Results: The mean score of overt and covert anxiety among nurses of Shiraz was 51.71±10.59 and 44.28±8.88, and among Yazdi nurses, it was 47.47±12.43 and 44.28±10.70, respectively. According to the results of the linear regression model, the effective factors on overt anxiety consisted of the place of service, marriage status, age, and nurses’ contact with the COVID-19 patients for a period of minimum 15 days. The effective factors on covert anxiety consisted of marriage status and nurses’ contact with the COVID-19 patients for a period of minimum 15 days.Conclusion: Considering the results of the present study and the importance of nursing profession in such created crisis, it is necessary to develop some programs in order to increase the mental health of such personnel