Evaluating the Clinical Faculty Members of Shahid Faghighi Hospital, Shiraz, Based on the Cognitive Apprenticeship Model in January 2011

One of the main responsibilities of universities is to train students who will be the experts and managers of the future. Therefore, improving the educational level of medical science universities will lead to the creation of an effective work force needed for the society, and eventually lead to the improvement of public health throughout the society. This improvement and development will not be reached unless effective feedback is received and the shortcomings are resolved. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate all faculty members teaching at the educational wards of Shahid Faghihi Hospital, Shiraz, in January 2011 based on the Cognitive Apprenticeship Model and present applicable feedback to clinical professors in order to enhance the educational system of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. In this study, the faculty members teaching at the internal, surgical,gynecological wards, as well as the wards of dermatology, urology, cardiology, and neurology. We used a valid questionnaire and evaluated six variables: modeling, coaching, reflection, scaffolding, articulation, exploration, and the general characteristics of the educational environment. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 16. In the student's viewpoint, the most important characteristics of a professor who obtained the highest educational score were exploration, scaffolding, and coaching. Also, most students expressed that most of the evaluated wards needed to improve in motivating the students. Evaluation and feedback is one of the most effective methods for improving educational systems. By using suitable evaluation systems we can improve the educational system in medical science universities.