Characteristics of a Capable University Teacher; the Viewpoints of Faculty Members of Health Services Management Department in Iranian Medical Universities

As the main pillars of universities، faculty members play an important role in quality of higher education. By identifying desirable characteristics of faculty members، the quality of education and its efficiency can be promoted. Hence، the aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of a capable university teacher from the viewpoints of Health Services Management faculty members in Iranian Universities of Medical Sciences. In this descriptive cross-sectional study، study population included all full time faculty members of health services management discipline in all Iranian Universities of Medical Sciences. Sampling was carried out through census including all study population (n=45). Data was collected using a researcher-made questionnaire which its content validity and reliability were confirmed. The questionnaire included six main domains evaluated using a five point Likert scale. Descriptive and analytic statistics (independent t test) were used for data analysis. The findings suggest that faculty members’ priorities are the areas of teaching methods (4. 50±0. 31) and educational regulations (4. 26±0. 54). Mean of female teachers’ viewpoints (3. 99±0. 31) and male teachers’ perspectives (4. 24±0. 30) showed a statistically significant difference (P=0. 03). Total mean score for individuals older than 40 years (4. 08±0. 33) and younger than 40 years (4. 30±0. 25) also showed a statistically significant difference (p=0. 03). The results demonstrated that regarding the viewpoints of faculty members of health services management، advantageous characteristics of faculty members in all areas under investigation، especially in teaching method، educational regulations، personal characteristics، and interpersonal communication are important factors in promotion of higher education and its quality.