Medical and Dental Student's Attitudes toward Their Study Field before and after Experiencing Clinical Practice in Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran

Learning environment should be opportunities for positive change in student's attitude to encourage them and create more interest، leading to sustainable learning. To make constructive changes، having information on the current status and about student's attitudes toward their discipline is essential. This study was designed to assess the medical and dental student's attitude toward their study field (learning environment، practicability، attraction، social rank، and future employment) before and after experiencing clinical practice in Kerman University of Medical Sciences، Iran. This cross-sectional analytic study was conducted in 2012. The study population were 95 medical and dental students of Kerman University of Medical Sciences، as census of students. A researcher-made questionnaire was designed consisting 31 questions in five areas of the components of medical education and health care (education environment، applicability of the course، the attractiveness of the field، career and social status). Data were analyzed using paired t، ANOVA، and Mann-Whitney U tests via SPSS software. There were significant differences between the medical student's attitude toward educational environment and practicability of the field before and after experiencing clinical practice; but there was no significant difference between their attitude toward attraction، future employment، and social rank of the field. On the other hand، there were significant differences between dental student's attitudes toward educational environment and future employment before and after experiencing clinical practice; but there was no significant difference between their attitudes toward practicability، attraction and social rank of the field. In addition، there was no significant difference between the two groups based on gender and age. The results showed significant differences only in three educational components between two groups of students. According to obtained data، short- and long-time plans could be designed for increasing the efficiency of education، improving educational structure، and obtaining welfare and economical possibilities for students.