Feasibility of revisiting the courses on the theoretical foundations of Islam with an approach to health issues in medical universities

Adopting a health-oriented approach in teaching Islamic Thought courses for medical students can be a source of dynamism and efficiency of these courses. The purpose of this study is to investigate the feasibility of offering these courses with an approach to health issues and to provide a general framework for developing new topics in these courses. This study was conducted using a qualitative approach in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in the academic year of 2019-2020. Purposeful sampling included 22 instructors of the courses on theoretical foundations of Islam in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, along with experts in the field of Islamic education and specialists in the field of health who had familiarity with Islamic thought. Data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire prepared by the consensus and Delphi group methods. All participants considered it possible to present the theoretical foundations of Islam with a health-oriented approach in terms of the objectives of these courses and in terms of health dimensions (physical, mental, social, and spiritual). Also, 60% believed that it is possible to offer these courses according to the approved topics. All of the participants considered this approach useful and necessary for medical students. The proposed topics with a health-oriented approach were agreed upon by 72% of the participants. Accordingly, adopting a health-oriented approach in the theoretical foundations of Islam in terms of objectives, topics and dimensions of health is possible and its implementation is useful and necessary for medical students. The feasibility of this approach can be the basis for transformation, innovation and, consequently, greater efficiency of these courses. The suggested topics provide a good basis for revisiting these courses.