Strategies for Development of Medical Education Sciences in a Military Medical Faculty

Medical science education has special characteristics due to the need for diverse learning areas in the wide range of health and disease. This study was conducted with the aim of Environmental analysis and providing effective strategies for the development of medical education at a military medical faculty.
This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2016 which the SWOT model and review of internal factors (strengths and weaknesses) and external factors (opportunities and threats) was used. Participants included 42 members of the scientific board, experts and stakeholders of a military medical faculty in Iran with purposive sampling. Data collection was performed by reviewing documents, focus group discussions and standard strategic planning questionnaires. Data was analyzed using content analysis and descriptive statistics in TOWS model.
The score of internal and external factors of the faculty was determined by 12 effective strategies for the development of medical education. Strategies included: quantitative and qualitative transformation of educational programs and promotion of the top scientific and educational status in the country and the region; becoming a scientific and educational center in the fields of basic sciences, clinical medicine and military medicine; and development of disciplines and educational levels with new trends and interdisciplinary sciences.
Based on the results of the evaluation and environmental analysis of the medical faculty in the field of medical education, the strategic position of the faculty is competitive. Therefore, this faculty needs to make more efforts to achieve a desirable situation through development-driven strategies.