Designing and Validation of a Conceptual Model of E-learning in Iranian Universities of Medical Sciences

 Parallel with the educational transformation and innovation plan in the health education system and the rapid developments in Information and Communication Technology, e-learning has been a challenge. The study endeavoured to design and validate the conceptual model of e-learning in universities of medical sciences in the years 2018-2019.

 In the qualitative phase of this mixed exploratory study, a total of 30 participants included university experts in the field of e-learning, were selected through snowball purposive sampling and in the quantitative phase, through a descriptive survey, a sample of 146 faculty members at Semnan University of Medical Sciences were selected. The instruments were semi-structured interviews and a researcher-made questionnaire. In the qualitative phase, the systematic approach of Strauss and Corbin was conducted in three stages of open, axial, and selective coding. As to the quantitative phase, confirmatory factor analysis was employed.

 The conceptual model of e-learning in universities of medical sciences involved four significant dimensions: academic, spatial regions, national (macro) and international. Besides, 22 components and 222 indicators were extracted. In the quantitative phase, the results confirmed the good fit of the model. 

 To design a model of e-learning in universities of medical sciences, academic, spatial regions, national (macro), and international dimensions should be considered.