Interdisciplinary Studies in Iranian Universities of Medical Sciences: Structural Analysis of Factors and Actors

The increase in the complexity of issues and technological advances has led to expansion and development of interdisciplinary fields to accurately understand the changes and learn how to face them. The Health system has basically become a complex system and it will not be possible to understand this field by merely relying on medical sciences. The main objective of this research is to design the desired model for interdisciplinary developments in medical sciences in Iran. To answer this question, the actors and factors shaping the development of interdisciplinary fields were investigated. What are the factors shaping the situation of interdisciplinary use in Iran's medical sciences? How is the structural-interpretive analysis of these factors based on their influence on each other?

The methods that were used to conduct this study included: an expert panel to collect, prioritize and validate factors affecting the future development of interdisciplinary fields in medical sciences; structural-interpretive analysis using MicMac and Mactor software to identify the role of actors in interdisciplinary studies.

Development of interdisciplinary studies requires support of policy-making institutions as guides and facilitators through establishment of facilitating laws, development of interdisciplinary education and research cores, and development of interdisciplinary modular programs.

The factor "requiring transfer to third generation universities" has the most impact and the factor "revision of human resources recruitment policies" is the most affected. Third-generation university is a factor that can provide substantial ground for development of interdisciplinary studies and influeces other factors and interdisciplinary knowledge. The development of interdisciplinary fields should become the dominant discourse of the university in such a way that it is codified in the form of policies and strategic programs of higher medical education.