Attitude of medical students of Tabriz University of Medical Science towards lifelong learning

In the broad sense life-long learning thought to be a multi-dimensional process which in addition to the economic and social benefits, also give rise to personal development. This study was conducted to evaluate the attitudes of medical students towards life-long learning at Tabriz University of Medical Science in the academic year 2016-2017. The method of study was descriptive-research. A life-long learning questionnaire from Knapper and Cropleywas used to collect data. The research sample included 140 people who selected accidentally among medical students of Tabriz University of Medical Science. SPSS23 software and One-sample Test and Hotelling’s T Test were used to analyze the data. In the four components of Goal setting(0/55±0/50), Application of knowledge and skills(1/02±0/60), Self-direction and evaluation (0/66±0/54) and Adaptable learning strategies the difference between the hypothesized mean (zero) and the obtained meanwere significant (p=0/0001).but in the Locating informationthere is no significant difference (p=0/702). Also the mean of male students in two component locating information and adaptable learning strategies were more than mean of female (p=0/0001). Medical students have a positive attitude toward lifelong learning components. The highest average is the application of knowledge and skills and the lowest component of information search. Given the nature of the practical nature of medical courses, the average of the application of knowledge and skill is greater than other components. It is worthwhile to note that students have the least amount of information searching component and that it is necessary to pay more attention to knowledge management skills and knowledge sharing in the curriculum.