Internal evaluation in Department of Pediatric Dentistry of Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Quality assurance with concern of improvement in quality and quantity is a major concern of policy makers in administrative and institutions of higher educations in country. The main objectives of quality control in higher education are maintenance and improvement of quality education, improvement in higher education system, and encouragement of institutions for their activities responsibility to ensure the competency of their graduates. The quality evaluation systems in the world are different; however, they have similar aspects that internal evaluation is important part of them. The objective of present study was internal evaluation of Department of Pediatric Dentistry of Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 1386 (2007-8). In the present cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study the questionnaires which supplied by Educational Development Center of Tehran University of Medical Sciences based on the characterization of department were used to evaluate the activities of Department of Pediatric dentistry academic staff, students, graduate, department staff and dean of department were asked to answer their questions. In this project the process of data collection and judgment included nine domains and ten steps. The domains were goals and objectives of the department, management and organization structure, academic staff, courses and programs of education, process of training and learning, equipments of education and research, students, research, and graduates. According to internal evaluation program all factors evaluated and SWOT analysis carried out. Finally, the recommendations reported for all domains. The results of internal evaluation in Department of pediatric Dentistry showed following percentages in evaluated domains: goals and objectives 65/4%, management and organization 56/2%, academic staff 56/2%, courses and program of education 61/2%, process of training and learning 58%, equipments of education and research 47%, students 55/2%, research 57/6% and graduates 54/6%.The domain of “goals and objectives of the department” was in the highest level and the domain of "equipment of education andresearch" was in the lowest level. Internal evaluation evaluated the present situation of the department and awarded the academic staff to the objectives and activities of department for reaching the objectives. The recommendations and trying to implementation could help to promote quality of education in the department.