The performance of select universities of medical sciences based on the components affecting medical education

Abstract

Background: Every educational institution requires an evaluation system in order to find out about the quality and desirability of its activities, especially if it is a complex and dynamic environment. The present study was conducted to evaluate the educational performance of schools affiliated to Alborz University of Medical Sciences to help improve their performance. Methods: This descriptive analytical study was conducted in six schools affiliated to Alborz University of Medical Sciences in April 2016-October 2016 and October 2016-April 2017. The evaluation was carried out in two stages: self-assessment by service executives across schools, and external assessment in person by the university’s expert staff. The study tools included the components, criteria and desirable standards of educational performance in ten categories. Data were analyzed in SPSS. Results: The results obtained showed that, in April-October 2016, the highest performance evaluation scores pertained to the "secure testing" and "rules and regulations" components and the lowest to the "packages for reform and innovation in education" and "the school action plan" components. In October 2016-April 2017, the highest scores pertained to "workforce empowerment" and "secure testing" and the lowest to "faculty affairs" and "electronic education management system". Conclusions: Offering a balanced portrayal of the actual performance of schools using the right performance indicators in two consecutive periods can help further motivate the superior schools and encourage the weaker schools to strive harder. Competition among schools to get a higher score in the components affecting medical education helps mobilize them to move toward reform and improvement.

Cost analysis of education for students in the School of Health of Alborz University of Medical Sciences: An application of activity-based costing technique

“…The 14:1 student–teacher ratio (including part-time teachers) at the school of health matches the medical education standards of Iran and other countries. [ 1 ] Consequently, the high share from costs of payment to the workforce cannot be attributed to the excess workforce.…”

“…Universities of medical sciences are educational institutions that are considered an effective and important organization in every country and also their activation can be the effect on the performance of other sectors of society. [ 1 ] The survival of these institutions is dependent on the provision of quality and low-cost educational services,[ 2 ] and as students comprise a key output of these institutions, one of the main questions associated with this goal is the cost of education per student. Calculating the cost price of services provided in these institutions is one of the main criteria for improving the efficiency, control, and transparency of costs.…”

“…One of the main assessable items in educational institutions is the cost of services provided per student. [ 1 ] Research suggests that calculating the cost price of services provided to students has been a serious global endeavor since 1980 that has led to the formation of many cost price analysis studies in foreign countries (Australia, the UK, and the US) and domestic universities. [ 4 ] In Iran, institutions providing higher education in medical sciences are generally state financed, and the main criterion for budget allocation to these institutions is their number of students.…”

“…[ 8 ] The move toward third- and fourth-generation universities, a sustainable financing system, return on investment, and improved productivity, which is defined as major goals in the reform of medical education in Iran, is contingent on an accurate cost analysis. [ 1 ] For have an accuracy analysis of costs in an educational institution should be will study the cost of educating students until from this way can be to provide necessary information for policymakers, decision-makers and planner in higher education institutions for budgeting, cost control and to pursue further goals of organization. [ 7 ]…”

Evaluation of general physicians’ skills in breaking bad news to the patient based on the SPIKES Questionnaire in Qom, 2016

“…In addition, 78% felt that they needed for education to announce the bad news for the patients and this education is recommended to provide at the beginning of their education (25). Psychological and behavioral training in the provision of health services, and the evaluation of its results, have been emphasized in various studies (26)(27)(28)(29).…”