Improving the processes of medical education in the context of providing outpatient services: Evidence from a large teaching hospital

A local outpatient clinic for diagnostic, therapeutic and counseling of patients without the need for hospitalization, which provides a variety of educational opportunities for learners. Considering the role of outpatient clinics in medical education, this study was conducted with the aim of promoting the education of trainees, interns and specialized and sub-specialized assistants of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in the clinic of Imam Reza Hospital in 1399.

 The present qualitative study was conducted in the clinic of Imam Reza (AS) Hospital in Mashhad in 2016 with a content analysis approach. The study population consisted of managers of Imam Reza Hospital, faculty members and medical students, a total of 60 people were purposefully selected. In this study, focused interviews and group discussions were used to collect information. Content analysis method was also used to analyze the study data.

 Based on the findings of this study, at first, the current process of patient appointments and visits was identified. After that, the most important problems and executive shortcomings in the current process were discussed. The findings of the present study showed that the patient visit process in the teaching clinic of Imam Reza Hospital with problems such as inability to follow patients, inability to determine the exact time of attendance The patient faces the clinic, the accumulation of students in the visiting rooms, the lack of examination based on clinical standards, the lack of adequate educational facilities such as computer systems and examination equipment, and the lack of special subspecialty clinics and referral centers for special patients. Also, the most important solutions for removing administrative obstacles were identified. After reviewing the proposals, due to time and financial constraints; The following corrective measures were taken: improving educational facilities, modifying the queuing process, designing an in-hospital referral system, managing queues for patients, and setting up special clinics and sub-specialized referrals.

In this article, we tried to improve the quality of education in one of the main educational clinics in Mashhad. Review and reform of educational processes in the field of outpatient services should be on the agenda of managers and planners of hospitals and educational clinics; Because medical education in the context of outpatient services is one of the main educational infrastructures.