Identification of the Dimensions and Components of Medical Education System Enhancement at International Level Using Delphi Analysis

Since paying attention to the quality and quantity of medical education and its improvement has a key role in promoting national health system, the present study aimed to identify the dimensions and components of and to improve the medical education system at the international level in Iran.

This research is applied in terms of purpose and was conducted in Guilan University of Medical Sciences in 2019. To collect data, a combined method including three methods of documentary study, fuzzy Delphi, and survey was used. Sampling method in Delphi technique was purposeful and 10 experts and scholars in the fields of medical sciences and education management were interviewed using semi-structured interviews to achieve data saturation. To analyze the content, the qualitative content analysis was used in the first stage and fuzzy Delphi analysis in the second and third stages.

Initially, 612 initial codes were extracted, which were reduced to 200 codes after continuous review, and finally these codes were divided into 3 main categories (14 classes) including making corrections and ranking in the educational system (creativity in medical education, standardization of education and research factors, qualitative and quantitative assessment), improving the quality of academic education (goals and organizational status of professors, students and study opportunities, training courses and learning/teaching strategies, educational facilities and equipment/ educational performance), and internationalization of education (global and regional conditions, cultural, economic, and political conditions, scientific cooperation and equipment, management and human resources, extracurricular and curricular activities, and supervision and review) and 100 subcategories.

The results showed that it is required to make long-term policies to improve research, educational, service and coordination activities between different parts of the university in order to internationalize universities and create a dynamic environment.
Keyword: Medical education, International, Delphi technique