Identifying the factors affecting on interaction of faculty member: A meta-synthesis

The ability to interact and communicate effectively is one of the factors affecting the performance of faculty members, which is considered one of their basic competencies. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors affecting on interaction of faculty member with student and colleague, through the synthesis of literature.

The research method was qualitative with a meta‑synthesis approach. Meta‑synthesis was performed with Sandelowski and Barroso method. After the research of databases in the period 1995–2021, 259 studies were collected and finally 48 sources were selected and were included in the analysis phase. Coding method was used to analyze the data.

Analyzing the findings of previous researchers and synthesizing the results, 155 codes, 18 subcategories, and 6 categories were identified and validated through kappa coefficient. The categories included “emotional‑cognitive factor,” “sociocultural factor,” “communication factor,” “professional factor,” “educational factors,” and “management factor.”

Based on the findings of this study and the importance of faculty members’ interactions in medical universities, it is recommended that university officials and administrators use the results of this study to provide a suitable platform for creating and strengthening these interactions through holding workshops.