مجله دانشگاه علوم پزشکی قم
سال هفتم شماره 2 (پیاپی 26، خرداد و تیر 1392)

Backgrounds and Assessing the educational services provided for students and determining the gap between the current status and the expected status can pave the way for developing programs to promote the quality of educational services. This study was performed aiming at determining the quality of educational services in Shahroud University of Medical Sciences in 2010. In this cross-sectional study, 274 students of Shahroud University of Medical Sciences were selected by random sampling method. The data were collected using SERVQUAL standard questionnaire. The 27-question questionnaire included two sections of demographic data and five-dimension educational services quality, which was completed as self-administered. The data were analyzed through independent samples t-test, paired samples t-test, and one-way ANOVA. There were quality gaps in all dimensions of educational services quality and the statements to assess them. The biggest quality gap was in the responsiveness dimension (-1.45), and the lowest gap was in the reliability dimension (-1.14). The mean gap scores in female students were higher than male students in all five dimensions of educational services quality, and this difference were statistically significant (p<0.001). The results of this study showed that the students’ expectations are not fulfilled in all service dimensions. Therefore, responsiveness, customer-orientation, improvement of work processes and physical spaces, and paying attention to other dimensions could play a key role in promoting the quality of educational services.

Selection of a suitable educational method for learning is of special importance. This study was performed with the goal of comparing group discussion method with lecture method in learning and satisfaction of life instructions course in the students of Arak University of Medical Sciences. In this quasi-experimental study, based on random selection, training content was presented by group discussion in 3 classes, and by lecture method in 3 classes. The data gathering tool was student opinion questionnaire consisting of the course content, teaching method, communication, and the end-of-semester scores. The data were analyzed using χ2 and independent t tests. The α significance level was considered 0.05. The mean and standard deviation of studied samples was 20±2.7. The mean of students’ scores in lecture group was 17.2±2, and in group discussion was 18±1.5, that were statistically significantly different (p≤0.0001). No significant difference was shown between two groups in the mean scores of students’ whole opinion on life instructions course content (p=0.4), but, it was significant for teaching method (p≤0.0001). There was a significant difference between the two groups in the means scores of students’ whole opinions on communication in life instructions class (p≤0.0001). Group discussion can result in more learning and increase students’ satisfaction of life instructions course. Hence, applying group discussion is recommended for teaching this course to all medical students.

Mental health is one of factors affecting various aspects of life and attention to this issue is of particular importance in educational status of students as society’s assets. The present study was conducted to determine the relationship between mental health and educational success of students in Qom University of Medical Sciences 2011. This cross-sectional study was performed on 240 students of Qom University of Medical Sciences. The Samples were selected through stratified random sampling method from the students of Medicine, Health, and Nursing & Midwifery. The data collection tool was consisted of two parts, including students’ demographic information and General Mental Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28). Student with grade-point average above 14 were considered as successful students. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, chi-square and Pearson’s correlation tests. The significance level was considered to be p<0.05. The majority of students with normal mental health (62.7%) had a grade-point average above 14. There was no significant relationship between educational success and students’ mental health (p>0.05). No significant relationship was observed between aspects of mental health and grade-point average (p>0.05). There was significant relationship between mental health and economic status (p<0/05). According to the results of this study and lack of significant relationship between mental health and educational success, implementation of further studies is necessary for recognition of other aspects of health and factors affecting academic status.

Abstract Since the social challenges have made information a valuable commodity, and since the need of graduates to become lifetime learners is to acquire basic information literacy skills, for effective learning in higher education, This research was carried out with the objective of evaluating the information literacy status in the students of Qom University of Medical Sciences during 2010–2011. In this descriptive study, 120 students of Qom University of Medical Sciences were studied through DAS information literacy characteristics questionnaire (a standard questionnaire for measurement of real and basic information literacy designed by Davar Panah, Siamak). Data were analyzed using T.F. and LSD post hoc statistical tests at significance level of p<0.05. In this study, the mean score of acquired information literacy level of responders to whole questionnaire was 31.84±10.25. The mean scores of information literacy in different faculties were estimated as follows: paramedical Faculty students (32.70±9.97), School of Health (28.73±9.53), School of Nursing and Midwifery (32.52±10.50), and School of Medical Sciences students (36.61±10.60). Also, there were not significant differences between information literacy and sex, nativeness or non-nativeness, parents’ educational level, and the rate of scientific productions (p>0.05). According to the findings of this research, the information literacy level of the majority of students was at low level, and based on the results, no significant statistical relation was observed between information literacy levels and studied variables.

Internal evaluation is a process in which academic members of an education department elucidate the goals of the group and judge its performance, then, they revise their role, and in the way of a desired future, they take the first steps by planning to implement it. The present study was carried out with the purpose of evaluating the situation of the Department of Nursing and Midwifery Faculty of Qom University of Medical Sciences in 2011. This cross-sectional study was performed using an internal evaluation questionnaire consisting of 8 domains (department manager, educational courses and educational/non-educational programs, academic members’ situation, students’ situation, teaching and learning strategies, educational facilities and services, thesis and sabbatical leaves, seminars, and graduated students’ situation. The data were analyzed by comparing the current situation with the optimum situation. The total mean of the internal evaluation results of the Department of Midwifery were analyzed in each domain. The highest score was related to educational courses and educational/non educational programs, and students’ situation with the mean of 3, then, respectively goals (2.85), management and structure (2.85), academic member (2.8), teaching and learning strategies (2.5), graduated students (2.5), thesis, sabbatical leaves and seminars. The lowest score was related to educational facilities and services (2.4). Considering the analysis of the current situation with the help of internal evaluation, promotion of educational facilities, development of complementary education, and provision of employment areas for graduates of Midwifery seem to benecessary.

Students learning in clinical education environment is the major part of the curriculums. This study was done with the purpose of comparing the students’ and teachers’ points of view about the status of clinical education environment in Paramedical Sciences and Nursing & Midwifery Schools of Qom University of Medical Sciences in 2012. This analytical-descriptive study was done on 154 students of Nursing and Midwifery, Operating Room, Anesthesia in fifth semester and above who were serving their apprenticeship and 18 teachers. Data collection was performed using a questionnaire consisted of 22 questions in four major domains (learning opportunity, support for learning, the environment’s facilities, and student-teacher communication. There was a significant difference between students’ and teachers’ points of view in the domains of teacher-student communication, learning opportunity, support for learning, and overall point of view. Also, teachers had more favorable point of view (p<0.05), But no significant difference was observed in the domain of hospital environment facilities (p=0.999). According to the results of this study, knowing the students’ and teachers’ points of view as well as similarities and differences of these viewpoints could be effective in planning for the improvement of clinical education environment.

Morning report is a long-standing method that its promotion has an important role in medical education. The present research was done with the aim of studying the structure of morning report sessions of the wards of type one educational hospitals and comparison with announced standards of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education. This study was performed in five main educational hospitals included wards of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Surgery, Psychiatry, Neurology, Emergency Medicine, Orthopedic Surgery, Infectious Disease, and Intensive Care Unit wards were evaluated 8 approved standards 3 times for each one, and totally 73 cases. The studied standards consisted of the time of patient introduction, number of patients, duration of session, appropriateness of the session place, the venue, near ward place, Availability of teaching aids, number of sessions per week and a simple reception during the session. Mean time for introduction of each patient was 4.4 minutes, mean number of introduced patients was 3.2 cases, mean duration of the session was 47.4 minutes, presentation in the ward (61.6%), appropriateness of place capacity 95.9%, and mean number of sessions per week was 4.2. No simple reception was seen in any sessions. Abundance of teaching aids was 79.5% for physical examination bed Negatoscope 89%, white board 93.2%, computer 87.7%, printer 19.2%, internet 17.8%, and video projector 83.6%. The results of this study showed that the general structure of morning report in the studied university was appropriate and fulfilled 6 out of 8 Standards. Also, the simple reception was not standard, and the standard of teaching aids was appropriate for 5 out of 7, and printer and internet were inappropriate.

Improvement of education quality of a university depends on the quality improvement of its departments. Therefore, internal evaluation of the department is an effective step in the quality growth of higher education system. The present study was performed aiming at internal evaluation of the Department of Environmental Health Engineering of the Qom University of Medical Sciences in 2010 took place. This study was done using a descriptive cross-sectional method. Four questionnaires, including department manager, faculty members, students, and graduates were used to collect the data. In completing these questionnaires, interviews, observations and review of documents were also done, and they were interpreted and concluded by employing descriptive statistics in the form of frequency distributions and measures of central tendency and dispersion. The scores obtained for the goals and mission, management, and development of the department were 2.2, 2.1, and 2.82, respectively; the ratio of the number of faculty members to students, faculty members’ research activities, and satisfaction of the department were 2.23, 2.1, and 1.12, respectively; the ratio of the number of the students to the existing facilities, and awareness of the goals and missions of the department were 2.1, 1.75, respectively; and the ratio of the courses to the need of the graduates, satisfaction of the educational programs, and satisfaction of the content of the department programs were 1.68, 1.84, and 2.1, respectively. According to the results of this research, there is necessary that university departments attempt to protect and promote the factors, which are in ideal conditions and plan to improve the adverse factors. University officials should provide necessary conditions and resources to improve the present situation and achieve the most desirable level.

Emphasis is placed on the correction of reading the prayer as an important precept in Islamic culture, and it is essential to use an effective teaching method to promote the status of reading the prayers in youth. This study was conducted with the aim of comparing the effect of the methods of group teaching, personal (face-to-face) teaching and using compact disc (CD) on correcting the pronunciation and reading of the prayer in the students of Qom University of Medical Sciences in 2011. This semi-experimental study was done on the students of the Faculty of Nursery and Midwifery of Qom University of Medical Sciences. The samples were randomly assigned into three groups, and the number of students in each group was 22. A checklist of reading mistakes was completed before the intervention, and then, teaching content was given to them in the form of group and face-to-face teaching and CD. In the following, reading mistakes of the students’ prayer were recorded one month after intervention. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, and Kruskal–Wallis and Wilcoxon tests at a significance level of p<0.05. Findings showed that the highest mean change in reading letters and pronunciation was in face-to-face teaching method, So that the mean and standard deviation of reading of letters and pronunciation before teaching were, respectively, 10.24±3.99 and 1.6±3.17, and after face-to-face teaching were, respectively, 1.56±1.8 and 1.08±0.4 (p=0.000). There was no significant statistical difference between the mean changes of letter reading in three teaching groups (p>0.05). Based on the findings of this study, the effect of teaching methods of group, personal, and CD was the same in correcting the students’ reading of the prayer. Therefore, it is suggested that considering the students’ interest and current circumstances, various methods could be used for correction of the students’ reading of the prayer.

Internal evaluation is a kind of educational evaluation process, including information collection and judgment in order to improve educational activities. Application of principles related to educational measurement leads to better understanding of existing educational situation. Hence, this study was performed with the purpose of internal evaluation of the Department of Nursing of Qom University of Medical Sciences. This descriptive study was conducted in ten steps and eight domains, including department manager, educational courses, educational and non-educational programs, academic member, students, learning and teaching strategies, educational facilities and services, thesis, sabbatical leaves, seminars, and graduated students. Data analysis was done through comparing the present and the desired situation. The lowest desirability was related to thesis, sabbatical leaves, and seminars” with the score of 2/2. Also, High desirability of "goals and organizational position, department management and organization", "teaching and learning strategies", and "educational services and facilities" were the strengths of the departments with the score of 2/6. According to the results of this study, employment of complementary education students, expansion of faculty members, and improvement of their employment situation is necessary for elimination of weaknesses and promotion of the department.

Spiritual health of a society's population, especially influential and productive people, plays an important role in the development and promotion of the society. Considering the prominent and unique role of students as future managers and creators of a society, provision of spiritual health as well as identification and removal of negative factors affecting their spiritual health are necessary. This study was conducted to determine the association between spiritual health and academic achievement of medical students of Qom University of Medical Sciences in 2011. This descriptive-analytical study was performed on all students studying in Qom University of Medical Sciences (except the first semester of study) through census method. The instruments used were a two part questionnaire included personal characteristics and academic grade point average as well as Spiritual Well-being Scale (SWBS). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics at significance (p<0.05) level. In this study, 50.44% of the studied samples had favorable spiritual health and 40.55% had unfavorable spiritual health. The score of spiritual health had significant association with the marital status (p<0.05), but had no significant associations with age, gender, parental educational level, and nativeness (p>0.05). In addition, a statistically significant relation was observed between spiritual health and academic grade point average (p=0.02). Based on the results of this study, the majority of students had desirable spiritual health. Thus, it could be stated that spiritual health might leads to academic achievement, through motivation. Therefore, it is recommended that to improve student's academic performance, appropriate planning should be done for promotion of their spiritual health.

performance evaluation is an important tool for measuring achievement of an organization’ quality objectives and performance excellence. Among the models of organizational excellence currently used to evaluate the quality of services in hospitals, European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) have been more welcoming in hospitals. This study was done with the aim of evaluating the performance of Qom shahid beheshti hospital based on EFQM excellence model and identification of strengths and areas in need of improvement. This study was conducted using cross-sectional method during summer 2011. The Tool for data gathering was a standard self-assessment questionnaire based on EFQM excellence model. The study population was staff managers of Qom shahid beheshti hospital, who were selected through census method. Data were collected in the form of nonuplet criteria of EFQM model, and analyzed by descriptive tests. The scores that were obtained based on nonuplet criteria of EFQM were as follows: 48.4% for leadership, 44.9% for policy and strategy, 48.6% for employees, 49.5% for resources and contributions, 46.4% for processes, 42.1% for the results of customer, 38.6% for the results of employees, 44% for society results, and 42.4% for key performance results. The highest and lowest scores were related to resources and contributions and results of employees, respectively. Total scores of the hospital were 447 out of 1000. Considering that the assessment process of board of trustees hospitals is using EFQM evaluation model in addition to accreditation standards, therefore, in this research, the strengths and weaknesses were identified using this model and some recommendations were given to the hospital.

Internal evaluation of departments makes it possible to judge the quality and to achieve the goals of educational system. In the academic educational system, the purpose of education is to create appropriate and increasing changes in the system’s product (i.e. students). The aim of this study was to determine the educational and research status of the Department of Occupational Health of Qom University of medical sciences and to offer reform strategies for improvement of the quality of education and research in the department of Occupational Health. This descriptive study was conducted in the Department of Occupational Health of Qom University of Medical Sciences in academic year 2010-2011. Internal evaluation was accomplished based on a standard framework of criteria and indicators. Data gathering was done through 5 valid and reliable 3-point scale questionnaires (for students, head of department, faculty members, graduates, and employers) and using a checklist of educational and research facilities. The data analysis was performed through descriptive statistics. The Department of Occupational Health was in a desirable condition in terms of facilities and equipment, and in other components, was at a relatively desirable level. In general, the results showed that the internal evaluation of the department with a score of 2.02 was at a relatively desirable level. According to the results of this study, although the result of internal evaluation of the department was at a relatively desirable level, more complete reforms must be undertaken in the Department of Occupational Health in order to reaching a desirable level of education and research.