The Opinions of the Consultant Professors of Qom University of Medical Sciences about Academic Counseling and Guidance, Duties of the Consultant Professor and Its Related Areas, (Iran)

Support, counseling, and guidance of students during of the course of study are one of the most important responsibilities of universities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the field of work of consultant professor from the points of view of consultant professors of Qom University of Medical Sciences.
This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 37 consultant professors who were selected by census method. A researcher-made questionnaire was used to determine the point of view of consultant professors on the field of work of consultant professor. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient, independent t-, variance, and Tukey tests at the significant level of p The mean total score of knowledge area of consultant professor on the duties of student’s academic counseling and guidance, was determined to be 30.9±3.7 and the extent of agreement of academic members was 76±19.6. The greatest satisfaction of academic members about the duties of consultant professor was in the field of assessment of students’ academic status and meet their educational problems (59.4%). The mean total score of supervisor's attitudes towards educational counseling and guidance was obtained 108±12.6, and the total score of consultant professors’ opinions about the present status of academic counseling and guidance in Qom University of Medical Sciences, was 39.8±5.8. The majority of academic members (60%) stated their overall satisfaction about the present status of counseling and guidance in Qom University of Medical Sciences at average level.
The results of this research revealed that the consultant professors evaluated their performance at a relatively desirable level, and had a positive awareness and attitude towards the duties of consultant professors. Therefore, informing and continuous training the professors on counseling and guidance, is recommended.